[ General ]

The Old Columban Society has just launched, in its annual 'Bulletin' magazine, a fund in memory of the former Chaplain, the late Reverend Bertram Walsh. This aims to raise €50,000 to secure the future of the Chapel organ, which badly needs major repairs. It is of course open to all others, including parents of pupils and friends of the College, to contribute, and we hope many will do so.

'Bert' Walsh died in 2008. He taught in the College between 1960 and 1993, being Chaplain for 23 of those years. He was a much-loved pastoral carer, a distinguished scholar, and a fine Irish teacher. His family have kick-started the fund with a generous donation. The organ needs major work on it over some years (this can only take place in the summer, when the building is not being used). All donations will be gratefully received. The secretary of the fund is our recently-retired Chaplain, Reverend Michael Heaney; emails and contact information sent through the contact form on this site will be forwarded to him.

St.Columba's College requires a full-time temporary teacher of Spanish and French September 2010.For the full advertisement click here.

[ Academic ]

[ Academic ]

[ General ]

The Trinity term ended yesterday after Warden's assembly.The IV form had departed after the Actiontrack performance last weekend and almost all the VI form and III form had left as their state examinations finished.On the final evening of term the V form were taken to play skirmish (group photographed) and the forms P, I and II to expend whatever energy remained in the National Aquatic Centre.

It only remains to wish everyone a restful holiday with the final reminder that the College re-opens for boarders on 1st September and day pupils on the following morning.   

[ Sports ]

Riding, in all its forms, is a very popular pastime with many pupils, some competing at a high level, others at a more modest level.The College fully supports all pupils who participate in sports which are not part of our own extra-curricular programme such as riding and sailing, for example.  Among these sporting activities is the popular pursuit of polocrosse.  This is organised by Mr. Sherwood and takes place on Wednesday afternoons during the Trinity term in Carrickmines equestrian centre. After a couple of weeks learning the rules and practising, a team from the College took on the Carrickmines junior team. Those who regularly participate are Nicola Dalyrmple, Georgina Wilson, Jessica Beresford ( the 'B' team is photographed here), Rachel Rogers, Philippa Peter and Iona Hamilton-Stubbers ( make up the ' A' team) George Mulholland, Neil Dalrymple and James Bowlby. Iona rode in the College colours at an inter-schools one-day event (with roads and tracks and steeplechase) in England recently. 

[ Performing Arts ]

Over the last 10 days, II formers have been preparing speeches in English classes for the annual Junior Public Speaking competition, compered by Mrs Haslett. Congratulations to last night's winner, Sadhbh Sheeran, who was the first speaker and talked about her local postman. Second was Siobhan Brady, who examined the terrible working conditions that go to make the latest tech toy, the iPad, and third was Josh Mathews, on life as a twin. Ludo Stewart (Greece's troubles) and Emmet Minch (golf) also got honourable mention.

The evening was varied and always interesting, with other pieces from the finalists on topics such as surfing, My Best Friend (Tara), the guitar, my teddy-bear, Scientology, bloodstock auctioneering, and Luxembourg. The judges were Mr Ryan, and two of our best debaters, V formers Patrick McGonagle and Miriam Poulton.

[ General ]

The main (original) house in the College, Hollypark House (not to be confused with the girls' House of the same name, which used to be based in it), is currently undergoing its first makeover for many years. It is pictured in mid-painting, with the old look clearly visible on the right before the painters started on that side. They are currently dealing with finer details such as the windows, via a large blue crane.

Click here for a closer view.

[ Sports ]

Many guests and visitors were present yesterday afternoon as Norman Lush (pictured here in the centre with Ian Roberts, chairman of the fellows, and Liam Canning), opened the renovated cricket pavilion.The pavilion, built in 1866, had naturally enough suffered the ravages of time and was badly in need of refurbishment.  Liam Canning, the present master-in-charge of cricket, and his predecessor, Norman Lush, were the driving forces behind the fundraising to pay for the substantial work done.The boards with the names of team members have been re-inscribed and treated, providing space for team members up to 2062! 

The 61st consecutive match between the college and the Leprechauns takes place today coinciding with the opening of the refurbished pavilion.The opening will be conducted by Mr. Norman Lush, a name synonymous with cricket in the College amd Leinster for many years. He also is managing the Leprechauns team today, made up of the following:

Lingard Goulding
Michael Beamish
William Blackley
Charles Butler
Liam Canning
Dick Forrest
David McLerie
Ashley Mathews
Willy Gibbs
Adam Philpot

Charles Lysaght

[ Academic ]

[ General ]

The St.Columba's Day Celebrations passed off very successfully last Saturday.Prof. David Dickson (pictured on the left), Old Columban and fellow of TCD, presented twenty-two form prizes and over forty subject prizes to pupils throughout the school.  In his address he remarked on the close connections between the College and TCD since the College's foundation.  In his speech the Warden outlined the many successes achieved by individual pupils over the year and thanked all those who had contributed to such a outstanding effort, especially in the exceptional public examination results.  Alec Cherry, the Senior Prefect, captivated his audience with his account of his career in St.Columba's from Form Primary to his final year. He presented a fine picture of the Chapel to Prof. Dickson and a chicken to the college farm. 

[ Sports ]

Last week four pupils from 1st and Primary forms went to Carrickmines Club to try their hand at golf croquet. This is a simplified form of the game, where all four colours try to go through the same hoop, with a point awarded to the successful player. Rishi Manuel, Peter Quigley, Nikita Kharitonov and Andrew Brady played two games of doubles and found it harder than they had imagined. However, by the end they were running hoops and thumping their opponents to the boundary with some confidence. Croquet will continue until November, or later if the weather is kind. Next term, we expect to have matches against Wesley, East Glendalough and possibly Terenure.

[ Academic ]

Refreshed after the June exodus, many pupils and staff head to different parts of the country engaged in various educational pursuits.Form V head to the Burren for biology and geography fieldwork as part of their Leaving Certificate courses.  Form IV go to Achill on an outward bound course and the lower forms go on history expeditions for the day,to Tara (Form I) and Wicklow Gaol and Ferrycarrig (Form II). Meanwhile the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate get underway in the Sports Hall.