Annual Events

Interhouse Gala

This is the event that kicks our year off with a bang. All the children are divided into their houses: John—Yellow, Patrick—Green and Dominic—Red, when we set off for the Swimming Pool, banners up and war cries echoing through the neighbourhood. All the children from Grade 1 to Grade 7 compete in at least one event. To the sounds of excited, singing children and splashing, the school spends a very eventful morning watching the children give of their best in the pool. All the teachers and staff are with the children ensuring their enjoyment and safety. Each year a Junior, Intermediate and Senior Victor and Victrix Ludurom is awarded. A Spirit Trophy for the house with the most spirit and the most well-behaved is awarded and of course a Winners Trophy

Swim-a-thon

The Swimathon is the first of our big fund raising events held during the year. This is held in the first term and at the moment we go to the Tom Newby School pool on a Saturday morning. The children from Pre-Primary up to Grade 7 take part and the idea is for all the children to do a sponsored swim of no more than 10 lengths. All the staff are involved and the morning is divided up into times where each section of the school arrive and do their swimming. The seniors start as they then remain in the water and assist the younger ones in achieving their goal. There is great camaraderie amongst the children as the older ones come to the fore with kindness and lots of support for their younger compatriots. Of course, we have our loyal braai team and tuck shop ladies to provide sustenance—so it is an enjoyable and relaxed morning.

Grade 7 Book Launch

Every year the new Grade 7’s are introduced to how to write a book. Under the guidance of Ms Ware, the Grade 7 English teacher, the pupils have to write and “publish” their book. They develop the books by starting with a chosen topic, either fiction or non-fiction, and then need to plan their book. They work chapter by chapter developing their book.  Once all the writing is done, they then have to include pictures, dedications, a “blurb”, design their cover and print it with all the same features as a “real” book. Mrs Capecchi, the principal, reads all the books during the holidays. When the book launch is held, the Grade 7 children get to showcase their book and present a short talk on their book to the staff and parents. Many of the pupils go on to donate a copy of their book to our school library

The Pre-Primary children do a “mini” - walk around the grounds of the school led by their teachers.  The Junior Primary (Grade 1—3) set off with great excitement to walk to a designated point before turning back. The Senior Primary (Grade 4—7) take a brisk walk up to and around Korsmans Bird Sanctuary. There are many teachers, staff members, parents and marshalls watching their every step and a drink at the halfway mark for fortification.

 Whilst all the walking is going on, we have our Braai Team selling delicious boerewors rolls, the Catering Committee running the Tea Garden, Jumping Castles for little brothers and sisters.

St Columba's Fun Day 

This day is organised and co-ordinated by Mrs Witthaus and the Grade 7’s. It is a day where the school celebrates the life of our patron saint St Columba. We all go to mass in the morning then school is let out and children and staff get to enjoy all the hard work put in by the Grade 7’s. All sorts of stalls with activities and food are put up around the school. Whilst celebration and enjoyment are part of this fun day, the main purpose is fund-raising and skills training. The Grade 7 pupils need to plan, organise, advertise, co-ordinate and run their own stalls. They are also responsible for getting sponsorships for their stalls.  In effect it is the Grade 7 Entrepreneur Day but with no self gain, as all the funds raised on the day are donated to the Avril Elizabeth Home. In 2011 R23 340 was donated from this day.

Interhouse Athletics

Our inter-house athletics morning is held in the second term . We usually go to the stadium in Boksburg which has all the facilities we need. The whole school turns out for this from Pre-Primary to Grade 7 and with all the parents, family and friends there is a great atmosphere of excitement and enjoyment. The three houses, John, Patrick and Dominic are tested to their limits both on the track and on the stands supporting their house. The Pre-Primary have fun races with hoops and bean bags and when they are on the track the rest of the school roars with excitement and support as they watch the little ones compete. All the staff are there and the morning goes by in a flurry of running, enjoying boerewors rolls and goodies from the tuck shop.

On the more serious side we have the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Victor and Victrix Ludurom awards, the Spirit Trophy for the house with the most spirit and the Winners Trophy.

Reading Week

This is held in the first week of the third term. A theme is chosen for this week. In 2009 , we had ’The very hungry caterpillar” where the children had to decorate the segments in their classes caterpillar and list the books they had read.  During this week a “Readathon” is held where a certain part of each day is set aside for reading—children and staff included. A special book is chosen and this is then read and acted out at assembly every morning by some of the teachers. Hooked on Books visits the school and showcases new books that are age appropriate. Also in this week “Character Day” is held. Here the Grade 1’s come dressed up as their favourite Thrass character and from Grade 2 to Grade 7 the children come dressed up as a character from a book they have read. We even get some of the teachers entering into the spirit of things and we get some “hideous witches” arriving at school.   

Other Events

We hold various smaller events through the year. Part of our Catholic / Christian ethos is formed by the liturgies we hold throughout the year. We have special services during Easter and Advent. We also have our First Holy Communion Class each year, which has its own liturgies. At all the liturgies the children take part with reading and singing. Parents and families are invited to join us.

In the third term the Pre-Primary has a concert and a Nativity Play.  The Primary School either has a concert, cultural evening or a choral verse evening in the second or third term depending on the agenda for the year's events.

Other Inter-house  events held are Chess, Bible Quiz and General Knowledge Quiz as well as Netball, Soccer, Cricket and Tennis.

A favourite event held at the end of every netball season is the Staff vs Grade 7 Netball Girls, where occasionally the traditional netball rules are thrown “out of the window” - it is however, extremely entertaining and the staff are always the “favourites.”

We have a very busy and fulfilling year, with many extra and educational events being added to keep the children stimulated and excited about learning.  All our children and parents are encouraged to participate and become involved, thus creating and sustaining our healthy, happy, well rounded pupils and family atmosphere.