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
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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24 Aug 2026
From Facebook
There’s been some very cute new arrivals at the College! 🐑 Our first little lambs of the season arrived last week when a set of twins made their entrance, followed by three more new arrivals over the weekend. And the best part? We’re still expecting at least two more! While these little ones are certainly stealing the show, their arrival also marks one of the busiest and most rewarding times of the year for our Agriculture students. Caring for newborn lambs takes commitment, patience and plenty of hard work, and our students step up every year to make sure they are well cared for. It’s one of the many reasons we value Agriculture education so highly at St Columba’s. Our students aren’t just learning about agriculture in a classroom, they’re developing practical skills, responsibility and a genuine understanding of what it takes to care for animals. Many of our students also go on to pursue post-school pathways in Ag with our amazing tertiary and industry partners! For now, though, we think they’ve earned a little time for some serious lamb cuddles! #agriculture Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Charles Sturt University University of Tasmania University of New England, AU University of Sydney NSW Agriculture Sydney Royal Easter Show
23 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Last night, students, staff and families from most of the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese high schools came together for the Alchemy Photography Competition. St Columba's had five students amongst the finalists - congratulations to Ana W, Aiden C, Nicholas H (who had three photographs recognised in the finals), Max B and Zachary B - all of Year 11. And a special shout out to Max, who took out the Wildlife Category Prize, with his amazing photo "Spider". Thanks to the team at CAPTIVATE for once again providing our students with these incredible opportunities to grow and express their creativity. Thank you for bringing students, staff and families from so many different schools together to celebrate the arts. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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24 Aug 2026
From Facebook
There’s been some very cute new arrivals at the College! 🐑 Our first little lambs of the season arrived last week when a set of twins made their entrance, followed by three more new arrivals over the weekend. And the best part? We’re still expecting at least two more! While these little ones are certainly stealing the show, their arrival also marks one of the busiest and most rewarding times of the year for our Agriculture students. Caring for newborn lambs takes commitment, patience and plenty of hard work, and our students step up every year to make sure they are well cared for. It’s one of the many reasons we value Agriculture education so highly at St Columba’s. Our students aren’t just learning about agriculture in a classroom, they’re developing practical skills, responsibility and a genuine understanding of what it takes to care for animals. Many of our students also go on to pursue post-school pathways in Ag with our amazing tertiary and industry partners! For now, though, we think they’ve earned a little time for some serious lamb cuddles! #agriculture Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Charles Sturt University University of Tasmania University of New England, AU University of Sydney NSW Agriculture Sydney Royal Easter Show
23 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Last night, students, staff and families from most of the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese high schools came together for the Alchemy Photography Competition. St Columba's had five students amongst the finalists - congratulations to Ana W, Aiden C, Nicholas H (who had three photographs recognised in the finals), Max B and Zachary B - all of Year 11. And a special shout out to Max, who took out the Wildlife Category Prize, with his amazing photo "Spider". Thanks to the team at CAPTIVATE for once again providing our students with these incredible opportunities to grow and express their creativity. Thank you for bringing students, staff and families from so many different schools together to celebrate the arts. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
21 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Alumni Spotlight | Jed Berben | Class of 2025 We could not love this more! Seeing our graduates doing what they love is the best thing we could hope for as a school and Jed Berben, from the last year's HSC class is doing exactly that! Jed has been working at a cattle station located in the remote Northern Territory outback (in the Roper Gulf Region) for six months now. The station he is on comprises just over one million acres! Recently, Jed had the opportunity to go up in the chopper and experience mustering from the air! Great stuff Jed - we are all so happy for you and this year's Year 12 P.I. class are very jealous! #ringersinthetopend #alumni #dowhatyoulove Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
20 Aug 2026
From Facebook
From exchange student to German national champion! Congratulations to Year 10 student Douglas Pentecost, who has returned from his school exchange in Germany with rather more than improved language skills! While in Germany, Douglas took up the challenge of competing in the U16 German National Athletics Championships — and came away with GOLD in the discus with a phenomenal throw of 61.02m! Not a bad way to spend an exchange… go overseas to practise your German and come home a national champion! We are incredibly proud of you, Douglas. What an achievement! 🇩🇪 🥇 Blue Mountains Gazette Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
19 Aug 2026
From Facebook
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18 Aug 2026
From Facebook
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From Facebook
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08 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Our Engineering Club are enjoying an equipment upgrade - from toaster ovens and sandwich presses to a you beaut, state-of-the-art heat press - all thanks to the Western Sydney International Airport Soaring Scholarship that we were awarded earlier this year. The club members are busily turning waste into useful objects, keeping plastic out of landfill and giving it a second life. They have already built a shredder using the guide from Precious Plastic Community and prototyped coasters and guitar picks. Now with the heat press they are moving onto bigger products like clipboards. Families can keep waste out of landfill and support the Engineering Club by donating HDPE 2 plastic lids. FOR SAFETY, all lids must be washed and dried and can only be HDPE 2 (look for the 2 inside the triangle). Lids can be dropped off in the box in Nicky's office in the library. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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It's late Friday afternoon and Andrew has found the perfect vantage point to contemplate the weekend ahead. #doesnteveryschoolhaveitsownpeacock
08 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations Jenna! First the gold and now the bronze! Outstanding! 🥇Gold 100m Freestyle s13 🥉Bronze 50m Freestyle S13 #jennawinsgold #jennawinsbronze Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Commonwealth Games Australia
08 Aug 2026
From Facebook
We are incredibly proud to announce that our 2026 Book Week celebrations raised $4,396.06 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) — our biggest Book Week donation ever! The total was made possible through the wonderful generosity of our students, families and staff, who supported our Book Week costumes, picnic lunch, cake stall, Poem Apothecary and second-hand book stall. Every dollar raised will help support the incredible work of the ILF, bringing books, learning resources and literacy programs to children and communities across remote Australia. The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is a charity that is particularly close to our hearts at St Columba’s. Supporting literacy, celebrating First Nations stories and languages, and helping children develop a lifelong love of reading are values that strongly resonate with our College community. A huge thank you to everyone who helped us reach this incredible total. What a wonderful way to celebrate Book Week — by helping share the joy and power of books with children and communities across Australia. If you’d like to learn more about the important work of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, we encourage you to visit their website: www.ilf.org.au
05 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to Amelia (Y10) on her outstanding performance at the 2026 The Horse Den State Interschools Championships during the school holidays. In a very competitive field, Amelia and her pony Ajah finished 7th in the 1.1 dressage and first in the 1.2 dressage. The St Columba's community is very proud of Amelia's wonderful achievement!