Specialist Subjects

The Arts

All children from Foundation to Grade 6 have a one hour music lesson with a specialist teacher each week.   On a three cycle our school holds a major school concert, a Visual and Performing Arts Showcase and a Family Carol's night as part of our celebration in these areas. Students also have regular opportunities to participate in local and Australia wide Arts competition and have their works showcased on a wider stage.

Any students from Grades 3-6 who love to sing, are invited to join the St Columba’s School Choir.  The Choir is a non-auditioning choir with a focus on musicality and singing for pleasure.  The Choir perform at school events, masses and community events such as The Ballarat Choral Festival and Royal South Street.

Physical Education

The physical education (PE) program is a comprehensive physical skill development and fitness program.  All children from Foundation to Grade 6 have a 1 hour PE session with a specialist teacher each week.  In addition all children in St Columba’s participate in the annual Athletics Carnival.  This is usually organised early in Term 2 and takes place at Llanberris Athletic Reserve.

The school works hard to provide students with multiple opportunities to participate in sporting competitions and offers a mix of selection based and inclusive events. 

For children who are interested, there are a number of opportunities to represent the school and participate in sports outside of school hours. 

Global Citizens

The school runs a Global Citizens program as part of its specialist teaching curriculum. This program has a grounding in Sustainability and Intercultural understanding and is focussed on developing students awareness of the world around them and the part they play in it. Students have an opportunity to showcase their learning in this area as part of our sustainability and gardens team, as well as our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander action group.

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics)

The school strongly believes in the importance of developing an innovator mindset in our students. Whilst not all students will become entrepreneurs they will all need to think creatively in their future. STEAM offers students an opportunity to develop their technology and maker skills as well as problem solving and creative thinking. Students in STEAM are presented with a range of challenges and tasks, with finite materials and need to work together to develop solutions to problems. Students have the opportunity to participate further in our robotics and coding clubs as well as supporting the work of other areas with their problem solving and creative solutions.

At St Columba’s smart, safe, responsible use of ICT is essential.  Students regularly participate in cyber safety sessions throughout the year and safe technology use is a key component of our school’s culture.  The students and parents are also required to sign the Digital Education policy, which is discussed with the students and at the start of each year