Redefining Tradition
St Columba’s Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030
Who We Are
St Columba’s College is an independent, co-educational Catholic school conducted in the educational tradition of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, with core values committed to the formation of the whole person
What We Do
We provide a holistic education that is rooted in religious values, structured through friendly discipline, nurtured by personal attention and committed to academic excellence
Why We Do It
We believe in the “education of the head and heart,” and we strive to create an environment where “every pupil is known, valued, and treasured”
Our Vision
Forming young people in faith, hope and love for the future
Our Mission
We seek to provide a Christian education in which each student is personally valued and challenged to pursue the highest standards in spiritual, moral, cultural, intellectual and physical development. We aim to share an experience of Christian community in which all grow in faith through worship and mutual support and by responding to the needs of the community at large. We expect each student to develop their own particular talents in pursuit of their God-given vocation.
Our Values
This school community believes that every one of our students is uniquely equipped to make a profound contribution to society by being:
confident in their knowledge that they are loved by God self-motivated and disciplined reflective and resilient intellectually curious ambitious and assured community builders
Brothers of the Sacred Heart
The Brothers of the Sacred Heart have been forming the minds and hearts of young people for over 200 years. From humble beginnings in Lyon in 1821, the charism of the Brothers has been the guiding force in creating schools of all types around the world.
From 1955, St Columba’s College has been one of these schools. The aim was simple: to found a Brothers’ school - whose hallmarks would be a holistic approach to education, rooted in religious values, structured through friendly discipline, nurtured by personal attention and committed to academic excellence.
As I read the pages of Redefining Tradition, I can see that St. Columba’s College has not only become an outstanding sanctuary where young people from all backgrounds, faiths and ethnic origins are known, valued and treasured, but a place where the youth will be continually nurtured in order to reach their potential and to cherish others along their life’s journey.
While I believe Father Coindre, the Founder of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, would be pleased with the contents of this plan, I feel he would be prouder of St. Columba’s strategic desire to change the world one young life at a time.
Br. Ronald Hingle, S.C
A message from our Governors
Redefining Tradition encapsulates perfectly the way St Columba’s College is facing the future: preserving the very best of its unique ethos and traditions, whilst embracing the strategic themes outlined in this document.
Some of the challenges ahead are not unique to St Columba’s. What IS unique, and what makes this such an extraordinary school, is the absolute commitment to the development of our young people, whose parents recognise that our vision, mission and values will provide their children with the strongest possible foundations for a happy and successful future.
This bold plan points to a community that is going from strength to strength, aiming to ensure that both current and future Columbans will enjoy an education that will see them reach their potential. In every aspect of College life, we will cherish our traditions and create the conditions for all members of our community to thrive.
I am proud to call myself a Columban, and look forward to sup College Leadership Team, and all those who work at St Colum children, with faith, hope and love.
Barbara Elliott Acting Chair
Introduction
Even before its implementation, this project has already achieved a great deal, for it has brought together our whole College community in order to reach a single outcome: to truly listen. Responses have been honest and distinctively Columban in nature, meaning that at the core of all responses lies our wonderful young people, present and future.
It is now time to get to work, and I am humbled to be able to lead on the implementation of Redefining Tradition with the support and encouragement of the very same community who believed enough to speak to us, and an outstanding leadership team who are utterly committed to the future of St Columba’s College.
This document validates our plans to significantly improve the Columban experience, so that we can take our whole community into its bright and exciting future.
Karl Guest HEADMASTER
Strategic Theme 1:
A globally connected, evolving, innovative and balanced curriculum for an ever-changing world
Conduct a comprehensive review of the curriculum to ensure it meets educational standards and addresses student needs
Develop and implement a curriculum that incorporates innovative and advanced educational practices to prepare students for future challenges and global citizenship
Leverage AI and digital learning tools to enhance educational outcomes and streamline operations
Implement cross-phase initiatives to enhance educational practices and foster collaboration
Implement strategies to enhance coordination and continuity between key educational stages
Develop and enhance Forest School programmes to promote outdoor learning and environmental stewardship
Expand and diversify extracurricular activities for Key Stage 3 to enhance student engagement and development
Develop and incorporate programmes to enhance financial literacy and skills among students
Develop and introduce initiatives to support and enhance mental health and well-being among students and staff
Develop and implement strategies to support and enhance the education and wellbeing of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Investigate and develop strategies to create a seamless educational pathway for students aged 4 to 18
Strategic Theme 2: Strong Partnerships for an inspirational future
Develop and strengthen partnerships with local community organisations through collaborative projects and initiatives that benefit both the community and the College
Analyse employment trends to inform strategic planning and workforce development initiatives in all areas of industry
Establish a robust alumni network by creating engagement programmes and events that foster ongoing relationships and support between alumni and the College
Design and implement a strategic plan for development and fundraising that includes targeted campaigns and donor engagement initiatives, to ensure sustainable growth, all supported with transparent reporting
Strategic Theme 3:
A vibrant and future-proofed learning environment with greater potential for community engagement
Create an ongoing development plan, including regular audits to assess and optimise current assets
Develop and implement strategies that proactively address and anticipate future educational requirements
Implement initiatives that enhance consultation to foster effective dialogue amongst stakeholders
Create and optimise environments/spaces that enhance functionality and foster collaboration
Develop and implement marketing and outreach strategies to increase the leasing of site/buildings
Enhance site safety to ensure a healthy learning environment for all
Develop and enhance Forest School programmes and outdoor areas to promote experiential learning and environmental engagement
Develop and enhance the digital infrastructure to support and optimise DigiCol operations
Strategic Theme 4:
Communication and Marketing - Wider Engagement and Brand Enhancement
Develop and execute marketing strategies to boost visitor numbers and enhance awareness of the SCC offer
Develop and maintain consistent messaging and branding strategies to ensure clear and stable communication
Engage in outreach initiatives to increase visibility and foster connections within the local, regional and Catholic communities
Develop and implement strategies to enhance engagement and visibility within the social media market
Develop and launch a centralised communication portal to streamline and unify all messaging and information access
Leverage social media metrics to analyse performance and inform strategic decisions
Strategic Theme 5: Enhancing Professional Development and
HR recruitment and retention
Implement strategies to develop and retain a dedicated and stable workforce
Develop and strengthen partnerships with teacher training providers, including ITT and SKITT, to enhance professional development and educational quality
Implement professional development programmes in collaboration with the Brothers of the Sacred Heart to enhance staff skills and competencies
Develop and implement training programmes to enhance the skills and effectiveness of middle leadership
Implement comprehensive training programmes and initiatives to establish itself as a leading centre of holistic educational excellence
Foster targeted collaboration by organising specialised training sessions, INSET and collaborative initiatives to enhance professional development and teamwork
Support career progression through structured development programmes and mentoring opportunities to help individuals advance in their professional journeys
Implement flexible scheduling systems that adapt to changing needs and optimise resource allocation to enhance efficiency and responsiveness
Conclusion
St Columba's College demonstrates a strong commitment to excellence in education, supported by a dedicated staff team, engaged community, and comprehensive curriculum. Its positive market position is bolstered by a new strategic vision and innovative practices. By continuing to adapt to market trends and addressing potential challenges, St Columba's College is well-positioned to maintain and enhance its reputation as a leading Catholic co-educational through school.
St Columba's College is built on a foundation of academic excellence, moral integrity and community inclusivity. The College's commitment to holistic education and our new strategic priorities, will help the school to build on its existing strengths and continue to provide a high-quality, wellrounded education that prepares students for their future success.
