Sport
SCAS Sport and PDHPE staff strive to provide students with an exceptional school sporting experience that allows students of all abilities, access to participate and excel in sport, builds the overall physical literacy of the student body, and imparts critical swimming and water safety education.
The SCAS sporting program offers students the opportunity to participate in a range of individual and team sports and provides pathways to representative selection, with the objective of being recognised as the premier school sporting program in the region through engagement, culture and performance.
All students participate in PDHPE every week, while students in years 5 to 10 also participate in weekly timetabled sport. Students in years 11 and 12 also have the option to opt-in to weekly sport or gym sessions.
The School Sport program encompasses various sports and physical activities, with an emphasis on building skills in representative school sports, federated sports (sports governed by national sporting organisations), and sports that are well-supported by the local community (Oztag, Triathlon, Rowing, etc.,).
St Columba representative teams compete in Hunter Region Independent Schools (HRIS) Gala Days and/or Inter-School competitions in Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics, Tennis, Hockey, Rugby, Soccer, Basketball, Netball, Touch Football, Futsal, Cricket, Mountain Biking, Equestrian and Golf.
Talented athletes are provided with the opportunity to represent at HRIS, the Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools (AICES), NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS) and NSW All-Schools levels progressing to representation at the highest standard in an NSW All-Schools team at a National level.
Student athletes are supported to succeed at the highest levels through access to a world class Daily Training Environment through the Athlete Development Program (ADP), and through access to teachers with specialised knowledge in various sports.
SCAS students enjoy the use of a wide range of sporting facilities, including:
Double court indoor sports centre (for basketball, netball, futsal, volleyball and more)
Cardio & Weights Gymnasium
400m Athletics Track
Tennis Courts
Rugby Field
Soccer Field
Cricket Nets/Pitch
General Purpose Oval
Cross Country Track (Googik Track)
School Sport Days
Primary School students in Years 5 and 6 typically have their Sport day each Wednesday. PE/Sport is compulsory for all students in Primary School, and the SCAS Sports Uniform is required to be worn on designated sports days.
Years 7, 8 and 9 have compulsory Sport on Fridays, and Year 10 has compulsory Sport on Mondays. Students in Years 11 and 12 are able to opt-in to Monday Sport. Full Sports Uniform is required to be worn for those days. Students are expected to take transport that the School has arranged to and from sports activities completed off-site.
Students will make a sports selection in the preceding term. Parents/caregivers will then be informed via email. They will need to visit the Parent Portal to accept their child’s participation and pay the cost associated with the selected sport (where applicable).
Sport is conducted on campus, utilising SCAS facilities, and off-site with external providers in the local area.
Participation in Sport and Physical Education
The school is based upon holistic development, and therefore the curriculum includes Physical Education and Sport. If for medical or other valid reasons, a student is unable to participate in sport, physical education or training on a particular day, the student must bring in a note signed by a parent/caregiver. Students should show this to their teacher before the lesson. It is not appropriate for parents/caregivers to permit for students to miss sport for unreasonable requests.
Athlete Development Program (ADP)
The Athlete Development Program (ADP) is a multi-faceted sporting program available to students in Years 7 to 12, with the overall goal of inspiring young athletes to pursue excellence in their sport while maintaining their academic pursuits.
The program aims to provide extra support for our aspiring and elite athletes and provide a platform for all students, helping them improve and pursue excellence in their sport, no matter their ability or representative level. The ADP also promotes a holistic approach to sport, fitness, exercise, health and wellbeing throughout the School community. Contact the Sports Department for more information.