Congratulations and farewell to our recent graduates the Class of 2024
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Our students went to the moon and bank for an unforgettable Space Camp
Each year, we are invited to focus our reflections on one of the four Mary Aikenhead Ministries values Love, Justice, Compassion, and Hope.
In 2025, our focus value is Hope, which aligns beautifully with the Jubilee Year theme: Pilgrims of Hope As a Catholic Christian community we embrace a profound call to live in hope In this, we are reminded that hope is a beacon that lights our path, even, and especially, in uncertain times. As educators, hope is our foundation. It fuels our belief in each student’s potential and drives us to embrace continuous growth in our learning and wellbeing practices
Pope Francis describes hope as “ an anchor of salvation,” a gift that connects us to God’s enduring love In the spirit of the Jubilee themes renewal, forgiveness, and communal growth we are invited to “become living signs of hope: drawing strength from our faith, offering reconciliation, and finding new ways to foster belonging within our community ”
Mary Aikenhead’s vision was deeply rooted in hope for a just and compassionate world She believed that education could transform lives, and that hope sustains us even in the face of challenges Her legacy continues to drive our mission here at St Columba’s College.
This edition of the Columba magazine is a celebration of Hope. Every aspiration, achievement, and activity shared in these pages reflects our deliberate efforts to instill confidence, resilience, and hope for the future In these unsettling times, Hope becomes more vital than ever a steady trust in God’s abiding presence among us.
May this year be one in which we walk together as true Pilgrims of Hope, inspired by our faith, united in mission, and strengthened by the enduring legacy of Mary Aikenhead
Ms Rita Grima St Columba’s College Principal
“Just because it has not been done before is no reason why it should not be done now. ”
VENERABLE MARY AIKENHEAD
Class
F 2 0 2 4 R E S U L T S
In February, we gathered as a College community to honour our 2024 High Achievers and celebrate the official beginning of the school year with our Opening Mass
We were delighted to welcome back our 2024 graduates, their families, and special guests to reflect on and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of last year ’ s cohort
The occasion was enriched with heartfelt speeches from our College Dux, Erin D’Agostini who achieved an ATAR of 98 10, and VCE Vocational Major Dux, Zahara Gruar, as well as some beautiful musical performances from our choir throughout the Mass
All of these exceptional young women exemplify the dedication, resilience, and pursuit of excellence that define our St Columba’s community As they embark on new adventures, we wish the entire Class of 2024 every success and fulfilment in the exciting journey ahead.
College Dux, Erin D’Agostini
Opening Year Mass in the Multipurpose Centre
VCE Vocational Major Dux, Zahara Gruar
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S T O T H E class of 2024
On Friday 18 October, we marked the closing of a chapter for a cohort of extraordinary young women who have shaped our College in ways both profound and lasting.
We bid farewell to the Class of 2024, after a week of events celebrating their incredible journey at the College, their final days were filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of nostalgia with shared memories, fun activities, graduation bears, and activity breakfasts.
Foxford
I N N O V A T I O N C E N T R E
The blessing and opening of the Foxford Innovation Centre in February marked a milestone moment for our College community
We were proud to officially open the Centre with a ceremony that reflected both our heritage and our hopes for the future
The morning began with a Smoking Ceremony led by Uncle Colin Hunter Jr Jr, grounding the celebration in respect for culture and Country. This was followed by a moving Blessing and Dedication from Bishop Rene Ramirez, reminding us of the enduring faith and mission that guide our work
he Foxford Innovation Centre has been many years in the making It began in 2003 with the purchase of the first house on Buckley Street by then-Principal Julie Ryan, supported by Board Chair Kevin McCartney Additional properties were acquired in 2011, 2014, and 2020, creating the space to realise a long-held dream a purpose-built, futurefocused facility for students.
The Centre draws its name and inspiration from Foxford, Ireland, where in 1891 Mother Agnes Morrogh-Bernard, a Religious Sister of Charity, transformed a struggling town through education, employment, and enterprise. Her unwavering belief in human dignity, her entrepreneurial spirit, and her dedication to improving lives remain a powerful legacy, and one we proudly honour here at the College.
This achievement is the result of collaboration, and we gratefully acknowledge all of those whose tireless dedication brought this vision to life over the years
We look forward to seeing it inspire creativity, innovation, and excellence for generations to come.
(L-R) Jemma Moschini, The Hon Ben Carroll, Martine Eid, The Hon Danny Pearson
T O T H E M O O N A N D B A C K :
space camp
On the 29th of March, 28 girls from both St Columba's College and Catholic Ladies College were able to experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the USA, where we attended a week-long Space Camp program at the US Space & Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Alabama, followed by a STEM activity at Disneyland, California.
Our original plans and intended departure date didn’t go quite as expected. After all the excitement and anticipation, we were ready to depart until, of course, the trip was suddenly cancelled the night before. But thanks to the incredible support from both Colleges and the tireless efforts of Brendan and Andrew from Immersive Education, we were given a second chance Just one month later, on April 26th, it finally became a reality And what a reality it was! We made lifelong memories not just within our St Columba’s group, but also with the amazing girls from Catholic Ladies’ College.
At Space Camp, we took part in a wide range of exciting and hands-on activities that gave us a true taste of life as an astronaut On Day 1, we began building our rockets and toured the impressive Davidson Centre for Space Exploration. Day 2 brought thrilling experiences with the multi-axis trainer, along with fascinating presentations on weather and space suits. We completed our first mission simulation on Day 3, learned to control rovers, and experienced a neutral buoyancy dive, SCUBA diving 7 metres underwater while completing puzzles and building structures to simulate microgravity.
Day 4 was packed with action as we launched our rockets, tackled the outdoor climbing wall, took part in a space law debate, and flew simulation planes. On Day 5, we completed a challenging three-hour mission and tested our nerves on the pamper pole and the 1/6th gravity chair, one of our favourite activities, which gave us a sense of what it’s like to move on the moon We also loved the mission simulations where we were suspended three metres above the ground in harnesses to repair the International Space Station. Finally, on Day 6, we visited the planetarium and celebrated our achievements during the official Space Camp graduation ceremony
Although the days were long, we genuinely enjoyed every activity and valued the opportunity to complete them all, expanding our knowledge along the way This once-in-a-lifetime experience had us powering through 15-hour training days, fuelled by a diet of oranges, potato gems, and far too many Skittles We made it through the Advanced Space Academy and were on to our Disneyland adventure. There were moments of exhaustion, but also plenty of laughter, grit, determination, and fierce teamwork, something we’d all return to in a heartbeat
At Disneyland in California, we kicked off with our STEM program, where we were challenged to design our own roller coasters each featuring a loop, a turn, and a drop The roller coasters we designed probably wouldn’t make it in the real world; their quick turns and insane height drops proved a bit too ambitious. We quickly realised this during testing with marbles, which didn’t go quite as planned Luckily, our engineering project was eventually a success, thanks to teamwork, careful calibration, and ongoing critical thinking. We solved the challenge and watched our marble complete the rollercoaster without falling off.
As part of the Disney STEM program, we got a rare backstage look at how two of the most popular rides at Disneyland’s California Adventure Park operate We began with the Guardians of the Galaxy ride, Mission: BREAKOUT! formerly known as the Tower of Terror. In this ride, you enter an elevator that rises and drops through a series of thrilling movements, eventually reaching a height of 56 metres (about 13 stories) before plunging all the way back down From backstage, we observed the ride’s inner workings, including the barrel mechanism that controls the elevator’s up-and-down motion We also learned about the special effects designed to heighten the excitement, like placing the elevator inside a cage so riders feel the wind, creating the illusion that they’re moving faster than they actually are. We were also taken to the Incredicoaster, where we watched the carts race around the track, hitting top speeds of 89 km/h. We learnt about how the ride moves, using a linear induction motor to launch, with electromagnets and metal on the cart that creates a repulsive force, pushing the cart forward We also learnt about the safety features of the ride, such as the seat restraints and centripetal force that makes it impossible to fall out of the coaster when it goes around the loop
Fortunately, the program did not just consist of information about the rides, but we were also allowed to ride them using Lightning Lane Passes! We first went on the Incredicoaster, in which our session about the safety features reduced the fears of riding it We certainly had a blast on it and wanted to ride it over and over! We returned to Guardians of the Galaxy and prepared ourselves for this ride We were grateful for Lighting Lane Passes, as a 120minute wait time was reduced to only 20 minutes! This ride was just as thrilling as the last, and we again had so much fun The rest of our time at Disney included ‘parkhopping’ between the two parks as well as watching the fireworks show, souvenir shopping, delicious food and more fun rides such as Space Mountain, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Splash Mountain) and Cars’ Radiator Springs Racers Our two days at Disneyland were unforgettable and just as magical as you’d imagine.
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We came home tired, inspired, and more certain than ever. This trip wasn’t just about space It was about showing 28 young women that we belong in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. In Australia, the numbers tell a hard truth: women are half the population but hold just 15% of STEM jobs. Only 8% of STEM CEOs are female. The gap isn’t about talent. It’s about opportunity The trip to the US Space & Rocket Centre in Huntsville was more than just a week of learning, more than training like astronauts, problem-solving like engineers, and testing like scientists It was a spark. STEM needs more than encouragement; it needs access, investment, and meaningful exposure, especially for young women. It needs young women to be seen, supported, and told: “You belong here Not on the sidelines, but at the helm, charting courses, launching dreams, and defying gravity.”
By Lily M and Gemma D
space camp
F R O M R O M E W I T H L O V E :
A Trip to Italy
On the 1st of April, a group of 23 students and 4 staff members set off on the Cultural Study Tour to Italy. After 24 hours of travel, we arrived in Milan. Here, we saw the original Last Supper painting by Leonardo da Vinci, which was breathtaking We also visited the famous Milan Duomo where we went all the way to the top to take in the architecture and incredible views. Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Italy without trying different pastas, pizzas, and gelato everywhere we went.
Next up, we caught a fast train to Venic where we explored the famous St Mark Basilica, Murano and Burano islands, as we as riding a gondola along the canals From here, we travelled to Florence, where w went to a language school for three day and walked around a lot to explore th beautiful, historic city In Florence, we als visited the iconic Statue of David and Uffi Gallery, where we could learn about Italy unique history
To conclude this amazing trip, we went to Rome, stopping over to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa along the way In Rome, we visited the Vatican City, Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Roman Forum and of course the stunning Trevi Fountain Immersing ourselves in the rich culture and history that Rome had to offer was an unforgettable experience, and the day trip to Pompeii on our last day was an excellent way to round off this trip. Flying home after two weeks was bittersweet, as we had made so many friends and memories along the way, but we also had so many stories to share with our family and friends when we arrived home
By Sophia M, Alessia H & Tiana C, Year 11
S E M E S T E R
Snapshot
In Term 2, our enthusiastic Year 7 students set off on their muchanticipated camp, three days of outdoor adventure, personal growth and unforgettable moments in Marysville From hiking through the bush to paddling across open waters and tackling the high ropes course, students embraced each challenge with courage and curiosity As the sun set each evening, they gathered around the campfire to share stories, laughter, and the beginnings of lifelong friendships It was a powerful way to build connection, confidence and community, setting the tone for the years to come
On 3 June, our Junior Performing Arts Concert took centre stage, bringing together the vibrant talents of our Year 7 and 8 Music, Dance, and Drama students in a joyful celebration of creativity and collaboration Each Year 7 Music class shared their learning through ensemble pieces that highlighted both instrumental skill and growing musical confidence From the spirited rhythms of Wake Up! and March Steps, to beloved classics like Ode to Joy, London Bridge, and Mozart Melody, every performance was a testament to the students’ hard work and enthusiasm Audiences were also treated to a vibrant display of movement and stage presence as our Dance students lit up the stage Each group brought its own personality and passion to the floor, earning well-deserved applause from the audience. In addition to music and dance, our Year 8 Drama students presented original dramatic scenes as part of their exploration of character development. Their performances reflected both creativity and thoughtful collaboration The concert was a true celebration of the Performing Arts at St Columba’s
This year began with a meaningful milestone for St Columba’s, the College received official accreditation through Dogs Connect, acknowledging our thoughtful and sustainable approach to integrating a wellbeing dog into school life At the heart of this achievement is Millie Millie has become more than a wellbeing dog, she’s become a cherished presence within our community. Whether easing nerves during a challenging moment or quietly offering companionship in the classroom, Millie brings a sense of calm, joy, and connection wherever she goes. Accreditation with Dogs Connect is more than a recognition, it reflects a high standard of training, intentional integration, and a commitment to ensuring a balanced and healthy working life for Millie It also affirms the genuine impact she continues to have on student and staff wellbeing Evidence shows that 92% of students in a recent Dogs Connect survey reported feeling more relaxed during class when a dog was present. And when students are more at ease, meaningful learning follows Millie’s presence is a tangible expression of our ongoing commitment to wellbeing, and we look forward to the continued comfort and connection she brings to our College.
In March, the College community came together for our two major House sporting events, the Athletics Carnival and Multisports Day. Athletics Day was filled with energy, enthusiasm and plenty of House pride, as students competed in track and field events, cheered on their peers, and embraced the joy of healthy competition Our Year 12 students marked their final carnival in style, dressing up and taking a lap of honour to celebrate their final year Congratulations to Cunningham who were the overall champions of the day Multisports Day was all about sportsmanship, and incredible performances across all year levels. Congratulations to Cunningham for dominating the Intermediate & Senior events and taking home the overall prize!
A L U M N A E
Spotlight
A N N I E M A Y R E D F E R N
Annie May was born in Collingwood on 16th January, 1909 and was one of eight surviving children from a total of fourteen born to Rubina (Ruby) and Frederick Redfern
She attended primary school at St John’s Clifton Hill, where she was taught music by Sister Cecilia, a Charity Sister, and with whom she kept in contact until Sister Cecilla passed away Annie obtained a scholarship to attend St Columba’s, where she studied during 1926 – 1928. She was the only one of her siblings to attend secondary school or university
Annie was a gifted music student She studied many instruments, but specialised in the piano and organ, and went on to further education at the Melbourne Conservatorium, Melbourne University She achieved her Diploma of Music and spent many years teaching music in private lessons at home, both before and after her marriage, along with being official organist at both St Joseph’s in Northcote and St Anthony’s in Alphington, and then, in her retiring years, teaching at The Academy of Mary Immaculate in Fitzroy.
She married Francis Joseph Carmody in December 1938 and had four children, followed by thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren, as of March 2025, whom she enjoyed and spoilt She continued to be engaged for weddings, funerals, family gatherings and numerous other celebrations, including at her care home in her final years She passed away at the venerable age of 98 years
This year, her son, Peter Carmody and his wife Louise donated to the College some of Annie’s music certificates, as well as other educational awards, photos and music books, including a book she received as a prize here at St Columba’s We thank them so much for their thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit in considering us and the legacy students like Annie leave for current and future generations of St Columba’s Alumnae
By Therese Chapman, College Archivist
Items generously donated to the St Columba’s College Archive by Annie May Redfern’s family
O U R Community
The year kicked off with wonderful momentum for our Parent Engagement Committee (PEC). The Parent Engagement Committee plays a vital role in strengthening the bridge between families and the College through open communication, collaboration and shared purpose We’re pleased to introduce this year ’ s Executive team:
President – Tracey Cotroneo
Treasurer – Jen Polakovic
Secretary – Giovanna Parisi
All parents/guardians are welcome to attend the Parent Engagement Committee meetings, which are normally held each month. Meetings can be accessed online or face to face at the College. Parents/guardians are also welcome to volunteer to assist with special events held throughout the year
If you ’ re interested in joining or partnering with the PEC, we’d love to hear from you Simply reach out to us at parents@columba.vic.edu.au for more information.
R E U N I O N S
We’re delighted to welcome our graduates of years en in ‘5 back to the College this October for our an general reunion. It’s a chance to reconnect, reminisce, celebrate the lifelong connections formed during your at St Columba’s
Graduates from ‘5 years are warmly invited to join u Sunday 12 October for an afternoon of drinks, refreshments, and shared memories on campus
To learn more and RSVP to your reunion, please columba.vic.edu.au/alumnae
We look forward to seeing you again.
E N R O L M E N T S
Applications for Enrolment for Year 7 2027 are now open
Did you know that enrolment applications from College Alumnae are a Priority 2 ranking according to Enrolment Policy Criteria?
Applications for Enrolment for Year 7 2027 close Friday 15 August 2025 and can be made via the College website
For more information, please contact our College Registrar, Mrs Tammy Colson at registrar@columba.vic.edu.au or visit the College website
Frank Rowland
We were deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Mr Frank Rowland in March this year
Frank was a teacher who instilled a passion for hands-on learning within our Arts and Technology program and was a dedicated teacher of Science
He had a flair for encouraging our students to look beyond the known and comfortable, to extend their skills and knowledge, and encourage them to take risks with their learning As the first teacher of Systems Engineering at the College, he has left a significant legacy for the growth and development of girls' education
Below, we share just a few of the tributes from the College community, words that speak to the deep respect, affection, and gratitude felt for a man who gave so much of himself.
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Frank will be dearly missed, but never forgotten May he rest peacefully
So saddened by Frank's passing, still can't believe he is gone. I worked closely with Frank when he began as a Lab Technician at St Columba's College helping me with all my Year 11 and 12 Chemistry experiments. He was a natural educator He helped me in the classroom when I couldn't get to everyone to explain things to students and when I ran lunch tutorials he would sometimes help me too and I'll never forget his support He was a great colleague and a wonderful man and often spoke of his 3 daughters - Rowena
A wonderful gentle soul. May his soul rest in peace - Patricia
My family send there sincere condolences to the Rowland's family. My kids were absolutely devastated as Mr Rowland was an amazing teacher - Enza
My daughter was devastated hearing of the loss of one of her favourite teachers Frank was her Home Room teacher and both shared their passion of footy and science He will be missed May his memory live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew him - Nancy
