ST. COLUMBA'S COLLEGE Stranorlar
www.stcolumbascollege.ie
PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME It is my great privilege to welcome you to St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar. Choosing a secondary school is an important decision for every family. At St. Columba’s, we believe that education is about much more than academic achievement. It is about discovering talents, developing confidence, building positive relationships and equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and values they need to flourish in an ever-changing world. Our College is a welcoming and inclusive community, rooted in a strong tradition of care, respect, responsibility and excellence. We endeavour that very student who walks through our doors feels valued, supported and encouraged to be the very best version of themselves. Through the dedication of our teachers and staff, our considered support structures in pastoral care and additional needs and through close partnership with parents and families, we strive to create an environment in which every young person can thrive. We are proud of the breadth of opportunities available to our students. Alongside a rich and challenging academic curriculum, we encourage participation in sport, the arts, extracurricular activities, leadership and community life. These experiences help our students to develop resilience, independence, creativity, teamwork and a sense of responsibility to others. Our Catholic ethos, guided by the values of CEIST, places the dignity and wellbeing of each young person at the heart of our school community. We celebrate the individuality of every student and seek to ensure that each has the opportunity to discover their strengths, overcome challenges and realise their potential. I am particularly excited about the future of St. Columba’s College. We are proud of the traditions and achievements that have shaped our school, while also looking forward with enthusiasm to the opportunities that lie ahead. The development of our new school facilities represents an exciting new chapter for our College and, most importantly, for the generations of young people who will learn, grow and create memories here. Yet, while buildings and facilities may change, what matters most will always remain the same: the people who make St. Columba’s the welcoming and caring community that it is.
I hope that as you read this prospectus, you will gain a sense of the warmth, energy and opportunity that characterise life in our College. More than anything, I hope you can imagine your son or daughter becoming part of our community, finding their place, discovering their strengths and growing in confidence as they journey through their years with us. To our prospective students, I say: we look forward to meeting you, getting to know you and seeing all that you can achieve. To parents and guardians, I say: thank you for considering St. Columba’s College. We look forward to working in partnership with you, supporting your child and celebrating their successes along the way. I look forward to our exciting journey ahead and to all that we can achieve together as a school community.
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Principal
St Columbas College
Ms Jennifer Kelly
Guidance Department At the heart of our school community, our Guidance Counsellors are dedicated to helping every student feel supported, valued and empowered to reach their full potential. They provide a welcoming space where students can seek advice, explore their interests, discuss challenges and plan for the future. Through one-to-one guidance, wellbeing support and career and educational planning, our Guidance Counsellors help students build confidence, resilience and the skills they need to make informed decisions. They work closely with students, parents and staff to ensure that each young person is encouraged, supported and inspired throughout their educational journey.
Student Support Team (SST) Our Student Support Team works together to ensure that each young person feels valued, supported and encouraged throughout their time with us. The team includes the Principal, Deputy Principals, Year Heads, Guidance Counsellors and SEN Co-ordinator who work collaboratively to respond to students' academic, social, emotional and personal needs. We recognise that every student is unique, and our support structures are designed to help each individual thrive. Whether students need assistance with their learning, guidance in making important decisions, support during challenging times, or simply someone to listen, our Student Support Team is always there to help. By fostering strong relationships with students, parents and staff, we create a safe, caring and inclusive environment where every student can develop confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging while reaching their full potential.
Mentoring Programme Our Mentoring Programme is designed to help students feel supported, connected and confident as they settle into school life and progress through their educational journey. Through positive relationships with senior mentors, first years benefit from guidance, encouragement and a friendly listening ear. The programme promotes a strong sense of belonging, helping students to build confidence, develop resilience and navigate challenges with greater ease. By fostering meaningful connections within our school community, the Mentoring Programme ensures that every student feels welcomed, valued and supported to achieve their full potential.
Student growth through CEIST values St. Columba’s College is a Catholic Voluntary Secondary School in the trusteeship of CEIST and is committed to the pursuit of excellence in a caring environment. Scan the QR code below to see how these values are experienced in our school, as told by our students.
The CARA Centre at St. Columba’s College "A welcoming and inclusive community guided by values where respect, care, and excellence shape every part of school life." At St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar, we believe that true educational excellence is rooted in inclusivity, compassion, and a deep commitment to meeting every student where they are. We are exceptionally proud to introduce The CARA Centre, a dedicated, stateof-the-art learning environment specifically designed to cater for high-needs learners. Inspired by the Irish word cara, meaning "friend," our centre is built on the foundational belief that friendship, warmth, and belonging are essential to unlocking every student's unique potential. A Nurturing Space to Thrive The CARA Centre provides a calm, structured, and warm atmosphere tailored to the individual sensory, social, and academic needs of our students. We recognize that high-needs learners thrive best when given a secure base combined with dynamic opportunities. •
Individualised Learning Paths: Curriculums are carefully adapted to match each student’s pace, focusing on cognitive development, life skills, communication, and independence. Specialist Sensory & Educational Zones: Our rooms are thoughtfully equipped with modern low-arousal learning spaces, sensory resources, and specialized teaching tools designed to ease anxiety and promote focused engagement.
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Holistic Integration: While students enjoy the safety and targeted support of the CARA Centre, they are fully valued members of the wider St. Columba’s College community, participating in school life, activities, and social integration at a pace that suits them.
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CURRICULUM Junior Cycle Subjects At St. Columba’s, we are committed to providing an engaging, student-centered education that prepares learners for the future. We believe in offering a well-rounded education that supports every student’s growth and learning. Our Junior Cycle program provides a strong foundation through a diverse curriculum. All students study the following core subjects:
Beyond the core subjects, students can tailor their learning experience by choosing from the following optional subjects:
English
Mathematics
Irish
Science
Home Economics
French
History
CSPE
German
Spanish
Geography
Religious Education
Visual Arts
Music
SPHE
PE
Graphics
Wood Technology
Optional Subjects
Engineering
Business Studies
Digital Skills
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Transition Year
A Year Of Exploration & Growth
Our TY students engage in a wide variety of activities and trips throughout the year, giving them the chance to learn beyond the classroom. These experiences help them develop confidence, teamwork skills, and independence. The main aims of the TY programme are to: •
Nurture the development of the student as a whole person by building on their previous experiences, through a curriculum designed by the school that is aligned to the TY Programme Statement
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Create space and opportunities for meaningful, enjoyable learning experiences through which the key competencies of the student can be developed in the classroom and school, in the home and in their role as local, national and global citizens
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Expand the student’s experience and awareness of diverse future pathways and nurture the student’s capacity to sustain their growth and development through a process of lifelong learning
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Evolve continuously to support the learning and development of the student through a reflection and renewal process involving students, teachers, school leaders, parents and community partners.
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STEM AT ST. COLUMBA’S COLLEGE At St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar, STEM education plays an important role in developing students’ curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Students are encouraged to become active learners through practical investigation, collaboration, and real-world application of knowledge. The school promotes a positive and supportive learning environment where students are empowered to explore their interests and develop confidence across Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects.
Subjects Offered St. Columba’s College offers a broad range of STEM subjects at both Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle levels. At Junior Cycle, all students study Science, Mathematics and Computer Science, with Engineering also available. At Senior Cycle, students have the opportunity to study subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agricultural Science, Engineering, Construction Studies, Design and Communication Graphics (DCG), and Mathematics. These subjects provide students with strong foundations for further education and careers in STEM-related fields.
Facilities and Learning Environment
STEM Competitions and Enrichment
Students benefit from modern and well-equipped learning facilities that support hands-on and interactive learning experiences. The school’s science laboratories provide opportunities for students to carry out practical experiments and investigations in a safe and engaging environment. Technology and engineering classrooms are designed to encourage creativity, design thinking, and innovation. Digital technology is also integrated into teaching and learning, allowing students to develop valuable ICT and research skills.
St. Columba's College has an established tradition of participating in national STEM competitions, and we are proud of the culture of ambition and curiosity this has helped to foster among our students.
We are pleased to announce that a brand-new, purpose-built science and technology facility is currently under construction and will open in the coming school year. This represents a significant investment in the quality of STEM education at St. Columba's, and students enrolling now will be among the first to benefit from these new spaces.
Each year, our students enter SciFest, Ireland's national school science, technology, engineering and mathematics fair, developing original research projects for competition at regional and national level. Students also participate in the Stripe Young Scientist competition, one of Ireland's foremost platforms for student innovation, where they present evidence-based solutions to real-world problems alongside the best young scientists in the country. In addition, St. Columba's students sit the ISTA Science Quizzes and IMTA Mathematics Quizzes at both Junior and Senior Cycle; a competitive, team-based challenge run by the Irish Science and Maths Teachers' Association that sharpens scientific knowledge and rewards genuine understanding of the curriculum.
Students also have access to a VEX Robotics system, through which they design, build and program their own robots. This brings together engineering, computer science and problemsolving in a way that is both rigorous and genuinely engaging, and gives students valuable experience of the kinds of challenges they will encounter in further education and careers in STEM fields.
A wide range of enrichment activities further enhances the STEM experience at St. Columba’s College. Students have opportunities to engage in workshops, coding club, STEM guest speaker events, and practical project work. These activities help foster creativity, resilience, collaboration, and leadership while inspiring students to consider future pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
St Columbas College
In computer class, students use Minecraft Education - Microsoft's classroom version of the game; to build, code and problem-solve in a virtual world. Lessons include block-based and Python coding challenges, as well as design and building tasks that link to subjects like maths and geography. Alongside coding skills, students develop computational thinking, creativity and teamwork in a format they already know well.
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1ST YEARS STUDENTS Taking part in extra-curricular activities and getting to know other people at the induction programme really helped me settle in.
Everyone is so friendly and the teachers are so welcoming.
There’s loads of extra-curricular activities. I’ve been involved in Gaelic and football but there’s plenty more to choose from like rugby, hurling, athletics or basketball. Training is good fun.
You can go to Ms. Sproule or Ms. Mc Nulty if you need help, or ask your year head, deputy principal of your year or any of the teachers will be willing to help you.
The teachers are so helpful and easy to talk to.
I chose to do woodwork and Graphics and they are my favourite subjects. Other people do art, music, home economics, business or engineering so there’s something to suit everyone in the choice subjects.
PE is my favourite subject because we can go to the astro or the pitch and do so many different games and then we have the hall if it’s wet.
The school seems big at the start but after a week or so once you find where all your classes are it’s easy and the SNA’s are a big help with that.
I can go to any staff member if I need help, there’s always someone there to help you.
The three-day induction programme really helped me make friends with so many new people and get to know the school and the teachers. We had so much fun doing the activities in school and the day at the adventure centre was class.
There so many sports teams to get involved in for girls as well as boys.
There’s so many languages to choose from, you can do French, German or Spanish.
There are so many lunch time clubs which is really good like darts, coding, chess, book club, baking club, whatever you’re into. There are also lots of new ones this year like true crime/podcast club, the young farmers club, lego club, BEAT drama music book club.
The staff are very welcoming and also understanding especially if you have a problem like forgetting your locker keys.
There are loads of options in the canteen, sausage rolls, sausage/bacon baps, tea & scones, soup & sandwiches and then the dinners, chicken curry, pasta, goujons, potatoes and veg, specials like shepherds pie, lasagna, paninis, chicken noodles and much more. It’s really cheap too.
My favourite thing about St. Columba’s is that there are lots of options for everyone, it’s not just sports there’s baking club, chess, darts and a lot more for everyone to enjoy.
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I like that we are going to do Minecraft in our Digital Literacy class.
I like the canteen because nothing is too expensive and everything tastes good and I like how there are tables kept just for 1st years so you don’t have to worry about where to sit.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Sporting Excellence At St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar, sport plays a central role in school life and is an important part of the holistic education we provide as a voluntary secondary school under the trusteeship of CEIST. Through a strong and inclusive sporting programme, students are encouraged to develop their talents, build confidence, and foster a lifelong appreciation for health, fitness and teamwork. We take great pride in offering students opportunities to participate in a wide range of sports, helping them to develop essential qualities such as leadership, resilience, commitment and respect. Sport provides students with opportunities to challenge themselves, achieve personal goals and represent their school with pride at local, county, provincial and national levels.
Our sporting programme is vast and varied. Whether competing at the highest level, developing new skills, or simply participating for enjoyment and wellbeing, all students are encouraged to get involved and reach their full potential. Through sport, students develop lasting friendships, learn the value of teamwork and discipline, and strengthen the sense of community and school spirit that lies at the heart of St. Columbas College. Our commitment to sporting excellence ensures that every student has the opportunity to thrive both on and off the field.
LIST OF SPORTS GAELIC GAMES
RUGBY
Gaelic Football (Boys)
Camogie
Rugby (Boys)
Gaelic Football (Girls)
Hurling
Rugby (Girls)
SOCCER
ATHLETICS
Soccer (Boys)
Futsal (Boys)
Track and Field
Soccer (Girls)
Futsal (Girls)
Cross Country
BASKETBALL
Sports Hall Athletics
Girls Basketball
Darts
Boys Basketball
Golf
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St Columbas College
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM At St.Columba’s College we believe in developing the whole student, recognising that true personal growth extends far beyond the traditional classroom. Our diverse and vibrant range of outside-the-classroom nonsport clubs and learning opportunities is thoughtfully designed to ignite curiosity, foster creativity, and build essential life skills.
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Leadership
Think and Create
Charity
Our school is for our students, they have an active voice through our student and sports council. Student Focus groups such as the Wellbeing Team also provide an avenue for students with a flair for leadership to make their mark. Our Senior Prefects act as role models to younger students.
Debating, Chess, Baking, Lego, Young Farmers if you have an interest in it we have a club to match. Our clubs allow students a space to challenge their minds and stretch their creativity.
The student charity committee helps students make a difference in their own community. The Christmas charity fun week, shoebox appeal, fundraisers and hamper donations, the act of giving is central to student life.
Charity
Senior Prefects
EU Ambassadors
Medugorje
Culture Week
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Performance/ Musical
Faith
Our annual school musical is one of the school calendar highlights. For those with a zest for the stage our drama club provides a creative outlet. The halls are alive with the sound of music and dance in St.Columba’s.
Developing faith within students provides a strong moral compass that guides their daily choices, empathy, and integrity. Our weekly rosary, school of sanctuary and retreats are just some of the ways students can connect.
Musical
Book Club
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Model UN
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS: International Students at St Columba’s College
For nearly two decades, St Columba’s College has proudly welcomed students from across Spain, making international partnership an important part of our school’s identity and tradition. This partnership continues to enrich life at St Columba’s. Our Spanish students bring new perspectives, broaden cultural awareness, encourage language exchange and foster a truly global outlook among our pupils. We are proud to provide a welcoming community where international friendships flourish and last a lifetime.
Testimony “I’ve really enjoyed my time at St Columba’s. Everyone is very friendly and makes you feel welcome. The teachers are really nice and help me a lot when I get lost or don’t understand something. My classmates have also been very friendly, and they’ve helped me settle in and feel part of the school.” Alejandro Palacios Transition Year - 2026
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STUDENT VOICE Q. Summarise life as a student in St. Columba's in 3 words
THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN A CARING ENVIRONMENT
A WELCOMING COMMUNITY Where everyone is valued and included
OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW Discover your strengths and reach your potential
LEARN FOR LIFE A wide range of subjects and experiences to shape your future
A CARING ENVIRONMENT Supportive staff, strong friendships, bright futures
BE YOUR BEST Confidence, resilience and opportunities at every stage
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ST. COLUMBA'S COLLEGE St. Columba’s College, Drumboe Avenue, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal. F93 KN62 074 9131246 admin@stcolumbasstranorlar.ie www.stcolumbascollege.ie @stcolumbascollegestranorlar facebook.com/stcolumbascollegestranorlar
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