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For the first nearly 90 years of its existence, the College was actually two schools within one. The Presentation Sisters were founded on serving the poor and so the first Sisters to arrive were committed to providing a school for the very poor families of Hobart.
As they had done in Ireland, they first established a fee-paying school for affluent families, using any excess finances to maintain a “poor” school or a “free” school on the same site. To speak of a “poor” school may be offensive to us today but was acceptable at this time. In fact, the Tasmanian Catholic Standard reported in April 1868:
…it comprises two schools: a Free school for poor and destitute children, and a Paying school for the upper and middle classes.
The new school, constructed on the Brisbane Street side of the Convent, was opened in 1876 and was named St Columba’s School. It quickly gained a reputation as a school of high standards and employers were very happy to employ those who graduated from St Columba’s after Grade 6. The first fees were threepence (three cents) per week for those who could afford it. Throughout most of its history, the enrolment at St Columba’s outnumbered that of St Mary’s College.
St Columba’s continued until 1956 with additional buildings added (such as the one you see before you). However, in 1971 the original building was demolished.
Left: One of the buildings formerly used for St Columba’s School, now Prep classrooms. Middle: Foundation stone of St Columba’s. Right: Information about the history of St Columba’s School.
Reflective Questions
- The children attending St Columba’s came from poor families who were often struggling to meet basic needs like adequate food and clothing. The school provided an opportunity for education that they might not have otherwise received
- How do you think those students might have felt to have had the opportunity to go to St Columba’s school?
- What do you think children would have done if they couldn’t have gone to this school?
- What do you think their playground would have looked like in those early days?
- What games do you think the children played?
- What equipment do you think would have been in their classrooms? How might that be different from the classrooms of today?
Prayer
Loving God,
We pause to remember St Columba’s School, a place of learning and faith, where generations of students were nurtured in knowledge, community, and spirit.
We give thanks for the dedication of all who served there – teachers, staff, students and families, whose lives were touched by its mission.
May the legacy of St Columba’s inspire us to continue fostering a love of learning and a spirit of compassion in all we do.
As we reflect on its history, we honour the lasting impact it has had on the lives and hearts of those it touched.
May its memory remain a guiding light in our journey forward. Amen.
From the Archives
Photos of the original St Columba’s building.
