The Sport and PDHPE (Physical Development, Health and Physical Education) departments at SCAS aim to deliver an outstanding sporting experience that is inclusive of all student abilities, enhances physical literacy, and provides vital swimming and water safety education. Our comprehensive sports program encourages participation in a variety of individual and team sports, setting pathways for students to achieve representative selection and recognising the school as a top regional sporting program through engagement, culture, and performance.
PDHPE is a weekly requirement for all students, with Years 5 to 10 also engaging in timetabled sports activities each week. Students in Years 11 and 12 can choose to participate in sports or gym sessions. The school offers a broad spectrum of sports within its program, focusing on skill development in representative and federated sports, as well as community-supported sports like Oztag, Triathlon, and Rowing.
St Columba's competitive teams participate in HRIS (Hunter Region Independent Schools) Gala Days and inter-school contests across several sports, including Swimming, Athletics, Rugby, Soccer, and more. Opportunities also exist for talented athletes to represent at higher levels such as HRIS, AICES, CIS, and NSW All-Schools, potentially reaching National-level competition.
Students have access to a variety of excellent facilities on-site, including:
Scheduled sports days vary across school years, with specific days allocated for physical education and sports participation, requiring appropriate sports uniforms. PE and Sport are compulsory for students, excluding Years 11 and 12 where it is optional.
For 2025, the Primary School sports days are as follows:
In Secondary, Sport is scheduled as follows:
Students select their sport in the term prior, and parents/caregivers are notified by email. Participation must be confirmed, and any associated costs paid, through the Parent Portal.
Sports take place both on campus, using SCAS facilities, and off-site with external providers in the local area.
On these days, students are required to wear the full SCAS Sports Uniform and take the transport arranged by the school for any off-site activities.
As part of our commitment to holistic development, Physical Education and Sport are key components of the school curriculum.
If a student is unable to participate in sport, physical education, or training on a particular day due to medical or other valid reasons, they must bring a note signed by a parent or caregiver. This should be shown to their teacher before the lesson.
Please note that students are expected to take part in these activities, and it’s not appropriate for parents or caregivers to excuse students from sport without a valid reason.
Athletes benefit from a high-quality training environment through the Athlete Development Program (ADP), which provides specialised support and development opportunities for students in Secondary School.
The ADP focuses on inspiring students to excel in sport while balancing their academic duties, promoting a holistic approach to physical education and wellbeing. This comprehensive framework integrates athleticism with educational development, ensuring well-rounded growth for all participating students. For further details, interested parties are encouraged to contact the Sports Department.
SCAS provides a swimming program for all students in Years 1 and 2. Students attend a one-week swimming program at Port Macquarie Olympic Swimming Pool in Term 4. This program is a compulsory component of our Sport curriculum. Details are provided close to the program commencing.
