House Systems
St Columba’s has a House System, which is an important part of the College. There are seven houses, which were named after some of the first Sisters of Charity. They are Bruton, Cahill, Cater, Cunningham, de Lacy, Williams and O’Brien. Each house is split up into Junior years (7, 8 and 9) and Senior years (10, 11 and 12), which consists of approximately 24 students and a House teacher. Students stay in these house groups until the end of their time at St Columba’s.
BRUTON - RED (The Good Samaritan Inn)
This house is named after Mother Mary Ursula Bruton, who was the founder and first principal of St Columba’s. Her and her family migrated from Ireland to Australia when she was 18. In 1882, she became a Sister of Charity. Each house supports a charity which raises money and collects goods. Bruton supports a charity called 'The Good Samaritan'.
CAHILL - YELLOW (Prague House)
This house is named after Sister Mary John Cahill. She was one of the five Sisters of Charity who were sent to Australia by Mary Aikenhead. Sister Cahill’s special ministry was with the prisoners in Sydney, Parramatta and Hobart. Each house supports a charity which raises money and collects goods. Cahill supports a charity called 'Prague House'.
CATER - PURPLE (Villa Maria Catholic Homes)
This house is named after Sister Mary Lawrence Cater, who was the youngest Sister set to Australia by Mary Aikenhead. Sister Mary Lawrence Cater became the Head of a school for orphans in Parramatta. Each house supports a charity which raises money and collects goods. Cater supports a charity called 'Villa Maria Catholic Homes'.
CUNNINGHAM - GREEN (Sister Francesca Healy Cottage)
This house is named after Sister Mary Xavier Cunningham, who was the first Australian to join the Sisters of Charity. She became the Matron of St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. Each house supports a charity which raises money and collects goods. Cunningham supports a charity called 'Sister Francesca Healy Cottage'.
DE LACY - PINK (Brier Terrace)
This house is named after Sister Mary Baptist de Lacy, who was one of the five Sisters sent to Australia. She trained to be a nurse, and was the founder of St Vincent's Hospital Sydney. Each house supports a charity which raises money and collects goods. De Lacy supports a charity called 'Brier Terrace'.
WILLIAMS - BLUE (St Mary's House of Welcome)
This house is named after Sister Mary Xavier Williams, who was the first Novice to take her Profession of Vows in the Australian Sisters of Charity congregation. She was one of the three Sisters who went to Hobart in 1847, where she visited gaols, hospitals and the homes of the poor. Each house supports a charity which raises money and collects goods. Williams supports a charity called 'St Mary's House of Welcome'.
O’BRIEN - ORANGE (mcAuely services)
This house is named after Sister Mary de Sale O’Brien, who was educated in Paris after being sent by Mary Aikenhead to learn about hospital and nursing management. When Sister O’Brien arrived in Australia, she was sent to Hobart to minister. Each house supports a charity which raises money and collects goods. O'Brien supports a charity called 'McAuely services'.