St Columba College is a combined Anglican and Catholic College, and is the first ecumenical educational venture of this kind in Australia. The College was an initiative of both the Anglican and Catholic Archbishops of Adelaide at the time.
Intensive planning for the College began in 1995 and continued throughout 1996 with an Anglican/Catholic Schools Committee being established. This group had the important task of initial planning, and preparations for a 1997 opening. In support of the project the Hickinbotham Group generously donated the land for the Primary site.
In June 1996, the first Principal, Ms Madeleine Brennan was appointed. From that time an Interim Management Committee began to coordinate work at the 'local level'. A temporary school office was established at 3 Chelmsford Grove, Andrews Farm; the uniform was established, enrolment interviews carried out, College policies established and teachers interviewed and appointed.
Again, with the support of the Hickinbotham Group, building work began on Primary site on Monday 16 September 1996 to begin Stage 1. Stage 2 began in 1997 and included a new Resource Centre, IT facilities, and extensions to the staff and administration areas. In addition to this, work was carried out in landscaping which by the end of 1998, completed the northern courtyard area. In 1999 planning continued for the Middle school facilities and the oval was constructed by Playford Council.
In October 1999 the College received notification from the Government regarding the success of its application to extend into providing secondary education.
A site approximately 200m from the Primary site was developed in 2000-1 and students began using the facilities in Term 2 of 2001. Thanks to a number of Commonwealth Government Grants work began in 2009 on specialist Senior facilities on a third site opposite the main College building.
Today the College has an enrolment of over 1400 students. It has wonderful facilities and always seeks to provide students with the best opportunities. Over the years the College has supported students to achieve their dreams. The success of our students is a testament to their commitment and to the hard work and vision of staff and parents working together. Our Anglican and Catholic traditions have given, and continue to give us the foundation for all else to be built upon.
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