Jacob visited lots of sites in Japan
Jacob Peters from Year 10 at St Columba’s High School, Springwood was one of only four students selected from NSW to attend a 10-day study trip to Japan as part of the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) funded by the Japanese government.
Participating schools were selected by the Consulate General of Japan based on having very active and successful Japanese language programs. St Columba’s has been selected to participate three times since December 2013 and eight senior students have now visited Japan.
A group of 18 students experienced the Japanese culture through home-stays, site-visits and school exchange programs. Jacob was actively involved in all the events and demonstrated his maturity, responsible attitude and passion in learning Japanese.
Japanese teacher Mrs Shizue Sato said Jacob represented the St Columba’s community and Australia extremely well. ‘We are very proud of his achievement. Congratulations Jacob!’
Jacob says the trip was an experience he will never forget.
‘This trip provided me with very unique experiences that have allowed me to gain a better insight into Japanese lifestyle and culture,’ he said. ‘It has also allowed me to experience personal growth both in my understanding of other cultures and Japanese language skills.’
‘The trip was fantastic and I was struck by the great kindness and generosity shown to all of us from the Japanese people,’ said Jacob. ‘During the trip I travelled to Tokyo and Toyama - two places that are unique in their own way.’
‘Toyama is one of my favorite places in Japan so far as the people were kind, caring and friendly, which made me feel welcome in their community,’ said Jacob. ‘I hope to return to that prefecture one day and experience its beauty once again.’
Throughout the JENESYS program I got to share my knowledge of the Japanese language,’ said Jacob. ‘I learnt a lot during this trip, it was a fantastic opportunity and it has complimented my studies in Japanese.
‘The JENESYS program created a lot of great opportunities for my future but mainly wonderful and happy memories that will stay with me forever.’
‘I would like to thank St Columba’s for the opportunity to study Japanese and increase my understanding of a culture so different to our own,’ said Jacob.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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06 Jul 2026
From Facebook
What a fantastic way to wrap up this year’s St Columba’s Art Prize! This morning, students from St Columba’s and visiting schools were inspired by hands-on workshops led by our talented Art Prize finalists: Freedom Wilson (Printmaking), Jane Taverner (Textile Narrative) and Katie Leavey (Abstract Landscape). A huge thank you to our wonderful artists for sharing their skills and creativity, and to every student who embraced the experience with such enthusiasm. The question we heard most often? “How do we sign up again next year?” We think that’s the best feedback of all! Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese St Columba's Art Prize
02 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Yesterday, 31 students from Years 7-10 represented the College at The National Science and Engineering Challenge held at the Kingswood Campus of Western Sydney University. The students worked in groups of 4 to solve various Engineering problems in competition with other schools from Western Sydney. Our team had a great day and were successful in placing 3rd out of all competing schools. They represented the College with pride and demonstrated great academic comraderie with the competing schools. Special thanks to Mr Born, Mr Kobus and Nicky Alsemgeest for accompanying the students. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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06 Jul 2026
From Facebook
What a fantastic way to wrap up this year’s St Columba’s Art Prize! This morning, students from St Columba’s and visiting schools were inspired by hands-on workshops led by our talented Art Prize finalists: Freedom Wilson (Printmaking), Jane Taverner (Textile Narrative) and Katie Leavey (Abstract Landscape). A huge thank you to our wonderful artists for sharing their skills and creativity, and to every student who embraced the experience with such enthusiasm. The question we heard most often? “How do we sign up again next year?” We think that’s the best feedback of all! Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese St Columba's Art Prize
02 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Yesterday, 31 students from Years 7-10 represented the College at The National Science and Engineering Challenge held at the Kingswood Campus of Western Sydney University. The students worked in groups of 4 to solve various Engineering problems in competition with other schools from Western Sydney. Our team had a great day and were successful in placing 3rd out of all competing schools. They represented the College with pride and demonstrated great academic comraderie with the competing schools. Special thanks to Mr Born, Mr Kobus and Nicky Alsemgeest for accompanying the students. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
24 Jun 2026
From Facebook
We are delighted to congratulate Mrs Sarah McCauley on being recognised at the 2026 Lower Blue Mountains Rotary Excellence in Education Awards. Sarah is an outstanding educator and leader whose dedication to student learning, excellence in teaching, and commitment to supporting both colleagues and students has made a lasting impact on our College community. Her expertise, generosity, and passion for education are evident in everything she does. Thank you to the Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains for hosting this wonderful celebration of education, and to Trish Doyle MP for joining the evening and assisting with the presentations. Congratulations, Sarah, on this well-deserved recognition. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
22 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Calling all young artists in Years 7–12. Looking for a creative way to spend a day of the July school holidays? THESE WORKSHOPS ARE OPEN TO STUDENTS FROM ANY SCHOOL - NOT JUST ST COLUMBA'S STUDENTS. Join us on Monday 6 July at the Ngurra Art Studios, St Columba's Catholic College, for a series of hands-on workshops led by talented Blue Mountains artists Freedom Wilson, Jane Taverner and Katie Leavey. Students can explore: • Printmaking (Etching) • Printmaking (Monoprint) • Textile Art • Abstract Landscape Painting These small-group workshops, priced at just $20 each to cover materials cost, offer a unique opportunity to learn directly from practising artists, experiment with new techniques and create your own original artwork in a professional studio environment. Whether you're an experienced art student or simply love to create, there's something for everyone. Workshop numbers are intentionally capped to provide individual support and access to materials, so early registration is recommended. Register now to secure your place and preferred workshop. All links in the images below.
19 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Have you got your tickets to Under the Spotlight? Hurry - they are selling fast! Don't miss out on a fantastic night of music, dance, drama and song. Running for two nights only, the production will showcase the talent and creativity of students in Years 7 to 12. Purchase tickets online: https://www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au/what-s-on/season-2026/st-columbas/
16 Jun 2026
From Facebook
The College's Year 10 students recently visited St Thomas Aquinas Primary School as part of a long-standing partnership between our two school communities. Students planned and delivered lessons for classes across all year groups, tailoring their learning activities to each class's current Religion unit. The visit provided an opportunity for the Year 10 students to apply their learning in a practical setting while developing their communication, leadership and teaching skills. The annual visit continues to strengthen the Catholic learning partnership between our schools and provides a valuable opportunity for students to reconnect with former teachers and buddies, and share faith in action. We thank the staff and students of St Thomas Aquinas Primary School for their ongoing support and hospitality, and we look forward to continuing this tradition in the years ahead.
16 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to the SCCC Open Boys Football Team on the skill and sportsmanship they displayed at the recent PDSSSC Open Boys Gala Day. The team progressed to the semi-finals, finishing the day with two wins, one draw and one loss. We are incredibly proud of all the team members for the way they represented the College and the high quality of football they played. A special thank you to our Year 12 students, for whom this was their final game representing the College. We appreciate their commitment, leadership and contribution to football throughout their time at St Columba's.
15 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Kate, Ellen, Scarlett and Audrey are at Western Sydney University's Parramatta City Campus today and tomorrow, completing the Introduction to Aviation Operations microcredential. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn about working in the aviation industry. Thanks to Rasha Fitzsimons for all the organisation work in giving these experiences to Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese students. Western Sydney International Airport
13 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Yesterday, St Columba's Catholic College was delighted to welcome students and staff from 11 schools for the Greater Sydney Schools Cattle Competition Training Day. The day provided valuable hands on learning opportunities focused on steer growth and development, with students learning from our Agriculture teachers and industry experts. It was wonderful to see so many young people sharing their enthusiasm for agriculture, asking thoughtful questions and developing practical skills together. It was a fantastic day filled with learning, collaboration and plenty of enjoyment. Thank you to everyone who travelled to St Columba's to be part of the day, and to all of the teachers, industry experts and volunteers who generously shared their knowledge and experience. We look forward to seeing everyone again at the Greater Sydney Schools Cattle Competition Awards Night. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Greater Sydney Schools Cattle Competition
11 Jun 2026
From Facebook
This week's Blue Mountains Gazette features an article on 'Nurturing Breath', the beautiful sculpture by Terrance Plowright that has become a landmark within our College grounds. Positioned at the heart of our campus, it contributes so much to the visual landscape of the College and serves as a daily reminder of the values we seek to nurture in our community. At the very core of the Christian world view is the belief in a God of Love who is revealed in an ongoing way through the beauty and majesty all of creation. In the ancient scriptures of Judaism and Christianity, God’s Spirit is often experienced as a gentle breeze or a wind, a great creative force - the Breath of God. Terrance Plowright’s sculpture, ‘Nurturing Breath’ reminds us that God is present in each and every one of us and that our responsibility, our mission, is to nurture that presence of God and to allow the Holy Spirit to take hold of us, and to form and shape us. We encourage our community to take a moment to read the article and discover the story and symbolism behind this remarkable piece of public art. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Blue Mountains Gazette
09 Jun 2026
From Facebook
A huge lunchtime crowd gathered in the Quad today for the latest edition of The Feed, our popular careers and pathways series. We were delighted to welcome representatives from Macquarie University and University of Sydney who spent the lunch break chatting with students about university life, study options, pathways, and future career opportunities. Both stalls were absolutely swamped, with students asking thoughtful questions and taking away plenty of valuable information about what life at Macquarie and USYD has to offer. It was also especially wonderful to welcome back Emma Hyslop (St Columba’s Class of 2023), who returned to the College as a Student Ambassador for the University of Sydney. It is always rewarding to see our graduates sharing their experiences and helping inspire the next generation of students. A sincere thank you to all of our university representatives for generously giving their time and providing our students with such informative and engaging conversations. Your support helps our young people make informed decisions about their futures, and we are incredibly grateful. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
08 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Tickets for Under the Spotlight are now on sale! Don't miss out on a fantastic night of music, dance, drama and song. Running for two nights only, the production will showcase the talent and creativity of students in Years 7 to 12. Purchase tickets online: https://www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au/what-s-on/season-2026/st-columbas/