St Columba's College is an all-female Roman Catholic secondary school in Essendon, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. It is one of four Sisters of Charity of Australia educational establishments, with St Vincent's College, Potts Point, Mt St Michael's College, Brisbane, and Catholic Ladies College, Eltham.

History

After taking responsibility for St Monica's Parish Primary School in Moonee Ponds in 1896, Mother Ursula Bruton (died 1899) purchased the property at 139 Buckley Street to provide secondary education for the girls from St Monica's. She believed that this was needed so that young women could take their rightful place in society. Mother Ursula was the first principal and named the school St Columba's. Columba was an Irish saint and a great scholar, who lived in the sixth century. The college motto chosen was "Fidelis et Fortis" meaning "faithful and strong", and the shield with its crown and dove reflected the Sisters of Charity's crest and Columba's name ("colm cille" meaning "church dove" in Irish). The first classes were held on 13 July 1897 for 47 students. The initial educational program provided a broad and liberal education for young women and in 1900 presented its first candidates for matriculation.

Current houses

The seven Houses and their associated colours are:

Previous houses

The eight Houses and their associated colours were previously:

Notable alumnae