During the final term of school 2020, Gateball ran a program for 20 students from St Columba's Catholic College years seven and eights students one week and then years nine and 10 the following week.
After several weeks of learning the basics the students were ready for a real challenge, with the program culminating in a mini-competition.
The Hazelbrook Gateball home team romped home to victory in the interclub mini-competition held on Sunday February 14 at the Hazelbrook Bowling and Sporting Club. They remained undefeated throughout the tournament.
After a week of rain, the weather miraculously cleared overnight before the competition, setting the scene for an action-packed day. Visiting competitors arrived from the Newcastle, Toronto, Strathfield, Epping and Lithgow clubs. All were impressed with the immaculately kept (though super fast) lawn and the facilities at the Hazelbrook Bowling and Sporting Club.
The mini-comp (numbers were limited to three teams) was played out in three rounds of three games, with each team playing twice and officiating once in each round. Play was fast and furious, onlookers impressed with the strokes, slides, bombards and strategy on display throughout the day and players simply glad to be able to get back into competition again after last year's COVID-19 interruptions.
Players were well supported by the Hazelbrook Bowling and Sporting Club, who opened the clubhouse early for the event.
Some of the Blue Mountains Gateball players moved their games from Lithgow to Hazelbrook Bowling and Sporting Club mid-last year due to the refurbishment of the Lithgow lawn and the COVID-19 lockdown. During the final term of school 2020, Gateball ran a program for 20 students from St Columba's Catholic College years seven and eights students one week and then years nine and 10 the following week. After several weeks of learning the basics the students were ready for a real challenge, with the program culminating in a mini-competition.
Gateball plays on Thursday mornings at 9am. Sunday morning games, also at 9am, are multi-age. One family boasts three generations with their youngest, nine-year-old competitor full of promise with a fine grip and fierce concentration.
Gateball may be new to Hazelbrook but its future looks as bright as the Valentine's Day weather.
Blue Mountains Gazette
Katoomba news, sport and weather.
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Odin Brennan! Lulu Green! Congratulations to you both. We are so proud of you both! Ultra-Trail Australia By UTMB UTA11 winners both from St Columba's Catholic College, Springwood Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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Two local legends indeed! Both St Columba's Catholic College, Springwood students! Congratulations Lulu and Odin!! Blue Mountains Gazette Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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From Facebook
Odin Brennan! Lulu Green! Congratulations to you both. We are so proud of you both! Ultra-Trail Australia By UTMB UTA11 winners both from St Columba's Catholic College, Springwood Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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From Facebook
Two local legends indeed! Both St Columba's Catholic College, Springwood students! Congratulations Lulu and Odin!! Blue Mountains Gazette Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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From Facebook
Today at lunchtime, we welcomed Kiri and Pat from Endeavour Energy to the College as part of The Feed in the Quad. Students were excited to learn more about Endeavour Energy’s fantastic apprenticeship program, which has recently opened for applications. Kiri and Pat spoke with many interested students about the opportunities available and what a future career in the industry could look like. Thank you to Endeavour Energy for taking the time to ⚡ connect ⚡ (see what we did there?) with our students and share such valuable insights and advice. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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From Facebook
We’re delighted to see the 2026 St Columba’s Art Prize featured in today’s Blue Mountains Gazette. Thank you to the Gazette for shining a spotlight on the incredible artists, students, sponsors and community members who helped make this year’s exhibition such a success. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese St Columba's Art Prize Belle Property Lower Blue Mountains Western Sydney University Susan Templeman MP
11 May 2026
From Facebook
Today’s Feed in the Quad was a little different, with not one, but two organisations visiting the College to speak with students about their future pathways. We welcomed Josh, Zack and Lincoln from SEDA, who shared information about SEDA’s Double Diploma program and the unique opportunities it offers students interested in sport, business and hands-on learning pathways. We also welcomed Gen and Wael from Western Sydney University, who spoke with students about everything they need to know about studying at Western — from courses and campus life to university pathways and support services. It was fantastic to see so many students engaging so positively throughout the lunchtime session, asking thoughtful and insightful questions about their future options. A big thank you to SEDA and Western Sydney University for taking the time to visit the College and connect with our students today. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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From Facebook
Year 11 Health and Movement Science students were fortunate to welcome Glenbrook physiotherapist Tony Larven to St Columba’s this week as part of their Collaborative Investigation project. With more than 30 years’ experience in sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, Tony led an engaging practical workshop on biomechanics, giving students valuable insight into injury prevention, movement, rehabilitation and performance. Tony has worked extensively in elite sport, including more than 20 years with the Australian Olympic Canoe Slalom program and 17 seasons with the Penrith Panthers. Students greatly appreciated the opportunity to learn from someone with such a wealth of professional experience and expertise. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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From Facebook
We were delighted to welcome the Year 6 students and teachers from St Thomas Aquinas Primary School Springwood yesterday to visit the St Columba's Art Prize exhibition. Our visitors engaged thoughtfully with the artworks, showing great respect and curiosity throughout. It was wonderful to hear the insightful questions being asked as students explored the exhibition. A special mention to Francesca, who shared a particularly perceptive observation about 'Mano Po', an artwork by a Year 11 student from Nagle College, Blacktown South . It is fantastic seeing students from across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese connecting through art. Thank you to staff and students from Tommies for visiting - we loved having you!
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From Facebook
Thanks and thanks and ever thanks to the amazing crew at Belle Property Lower Blue Mountains - We LOVE having you as our Youth Prize Major Sponsor. Thank you for your generosity and genuine enthusiasm for the St Columba's Art Prize. We could not be more grateful!
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From Facebook
Be like Susan Templeman MP - Visit the St Columba's Art Prize this weekend - open Saturday and Sunday 10am - 3pm. We can't wait to welcome you - straight up the driveway and through the arch into the quad.
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From Facebook
We have had a great start in Agriculture in Term 2. Our dairy cross calves for Penrith show have arrived. Students will be caring for them and preparing them for the show ring in August. On Friday we took a team of 13 students to the Hawkesbury show for the Cattle judging competition. Three year 8 students made it into the speaking final, with some great results: Frank coming 1st, Emily 3rd and Seth 5th in the 11-14 years final.