St Columba's College, St Albans

Infobox UK school
name = St Columba's College


size =
latitude = 51.743
longitude = -0.35
dms =
motto = Cor ad cor loquitur (Heart speaketh to heart)
motto_pl =
established = 1939, refounded 1955
approx =
closed =
c_approx =
type =
religion = Roman Catholic
president =
head_label =
head = David Buxton
r_head_label =
r_head =
chair_label = Chairman of Governors
chair = Mrs Gladys Cummings, JP
founder =
founder_pl =
specialist =
specialist_pl =
street = King Harry Lane
city = St Albans
county = Hertfordshire
country = England
postcode = AL3 4AW
LEA =
ofsted =
staff =
enrollment = 840
gender = Boys
lower_age = 4
upper_age = 18
houses = Charles, Guertin, Joseph, McClancy, Stanislaus, and Vandebilt
colours =
publication = Opus
free_label_1 =
free_1 =
free_label_2 =
free_2 =
free_label_3 =
free_3 =
website = http://www.stcolumbascollege.org/
website_name = www.stcolumbascollege.org

St Columba's College, is a Catholic independent school for boys at King Harry Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. The school was refounded in the year 1955 by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, and is a member of the HMC. The school has a reputation for excellence in sport, namely Rugby and Basketball.

College houses

The College has six houses, all named after Brothers of the Sacred Heart Schools in America: "Charles House (housemaster Steve D'Souza) " (Blue Tie), "Guertin House" (Green Tie, housemaster Richard Mcaan), "Joseph House" (Navy Tie, housemaster Ben Alway), "McClancy House" (Red Tie, housemaster, Pete Baker), "Stanislaus House" (Purple Tie, housemaster, Rory Byrne), and "Vandebilt House" (Gold Tie, housemaster, Andy Coleville).

The houses were created in 2005 in replacement of the previous four houses named for British martyrs, Alban (Green tie), Becket (Yellow tie), Fisher (Red tie) and More (Blue tie).

Arts

Music

Every term, the school holds Chamber Concerts within the school premises. These concerts show parents their sons' skill level on their musical instruments. The performances include the school's renowned Bell Choir, Jazz Band and Orchestra. The school has a yearly Christmas Carol Service at St Albans Cathedral. The school has also renovated a stained glass window in the Cathedral, which is in honour of the school patron, St Columba.

Drama

The school's drama productions have been very successful; the drama department works with Loreto College girls' school and Princess Helena College, who play the female lead roles.

port

Rugby

St Columba's College has had a successful sporting record, with the school's U18 rugby squad coming runners-up in the Daily Mail Vase in the 2003/2004 season, when they were beaten by Prince Henry's Grammar School, Otley. [cite web
title=Daily Mail Vase 2003/2004 - Final Rounds
publisher=Schools Rugby
url=http://www.schoolsrugby.co.uk/tnt_DailyMailPage.asp?id=27&Season=20032004
accessdate=2008-01-29] Also that season they were named 'Rugby Monthly' Team of the Month, and the U19s Basketball Squad winning National Basketball Cup 9 times, most recently in 2003.Fact|date=January 2008

The U15 Team in 2007/2008 reached the fifth round of the Daily Mail Vase Competition, where they were beaten by The Woodlands. [cite web
title=Daily Mail U15 Vase 2007/2008 (Midlands B)
publisher=Schools Rugby
url=http://www.schoolsrugby.co.uk/Tournaments/DailyMailCup/U15Vase/20072008/page4.pdf
accessdate=2008-01-29]

Basketball

The School is also a named "School of Excellence" in Basketball.Fact|date=January 2008

Columban Fayre

The Columban Fayre is an annual event which raises money for the the school's facilities. The Columban Fayre is a one of the largest events for the school itself. There are many different stores held by staff members and pupils, including the extremely popular Auction of Promises and the "Secrets Room".

Combined Cadet Force

The school's Combined Cadet Force was formed in April 2001. Since then it has grown to parading around 60-70 cadets every week with approximately 15 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 [cite web
title=Forum
publisher=Army Cadet Force
url=http://www.armycadetforce.com/forum/showthread.php?p=202642
accessdate=2008-05-30] [cite web
title=Ex Combat Cadet Winners List 2008
publisher=Army
url=http://www2.army.mod.uk/ctt/3ctt/ex_combat_cadet/ex_combat_cadet_winners_list_2006.htm
accessdate=2008-06-11] and came second in the night navigation exercise. The School also won 'Best CCF'.

The RAF section won the Command Task section of the Air Squadron Trophy in 2007.

The CCF now has a small unit of girls who come from Princess Helena College.

Old Columbans

Old boys of the school are called .
*Mark Lawson, broadcaster [cite web
title=Upper Sixth, 1979-80
publisher=Old Columbans
url=http://www.oldcolumbans.org.uk/Index%20Titles/class%20photos/79%2080/UPPER%206.htm
accessdate=2008-05-30]
*Mick Luckhurst, former American football player [cite web
title=Form 5S, 1973-74
publisher=Old Columbans
url=http://www.oldcolumbans.org.uk/Index%20Titles/class%20photos/73%2074/5S.htm
accessdate=2008-05-30]
*Captain James Phillipson, killed in action, Afghanistan, 2006 [cite web
title=Captain James Phillipson
publisher=Old Columbans
url=http://www.oldcolumbans.org.uk/Index%20Titles/Captain%20James%20Philippson.htm
accessdate=2008-06-20] [cite web
title=St Albans honours Captain Jim
publisher=St Columba's College
url=http://www.stcolumbascollege.org/modules/new_menu/get_content.php?mc=150050005&aid=1532&sc=102&home=150050005
accessdate=2008-06-20] [cite web
title=Sandridge Parish Council - Meeting 14 June 2006
publisher=Sandridge Parish Council
url=http://www.eastspace.net/sandridge/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=6928
accessdate=2008-06-20]

References

* [http://www.stcolumbascollege.org/uploadfck/File/PDF/ISIreport.pdf Independent Schools Inspectorate Inspection Report, November 2006]
* [http://www.isi.net/reports/2006/1057_06.htm Independent Schools Inspectorate Inspection Report, November 2006]
* [http://www.isc.co.uk/school_84387.htm Independent Schools Council]