St Columba's Catholic College

What St Columba's Catholic College does

St Columba's Catholic College is a Catholic secondary school operating from a historic sandstone campus in Springwood, in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia. Established in 1979 on the site of a former seminary (1909-1977), the school serves approximately 1,080 students across Years 7-12, drawn from the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney. The college is operated by Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) Ltd, a non-profit system of 80 Catholic schools educating more than 46,000 students across the region. Academic delivery follows the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) curriculum integrated with a Catholic Religious Education program (Encountering Jesus), supplemented by a Vocational Education and Training (VET) offering, the School of Now hybrid extension program for senior students, and a structured Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program requiring iPads or laptops (MacBook/Windows 11).

The school's product portfolio extends beyond academics to include a Performing Arts Centre, a school farm, an Agricultural Show Team with competition wins at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, sports programs through the Parramatta Diocesan Secondary Schools Sports Council, a Japanese exchange with Hokusetsu Senior High School, pastoral care and wellbeing services, and social justice partnerships (Caritas Australia, St Vincent de Paul, Jesuit Social Services). Technology infrastructure is modest but functional: the Compass Parent Portal (iOS/Android apps) for communication, a Sirsidynix eLibrary, BPOINT for fee payments, and a Midford online uniform shop. A new Creative Hub is under construction for 2025 opening.

The business model is tuition-funded under the diocesan structure. Annual fees for the first child range from $5,859 (Year 7) to $6,768 (Year 12), billed in three instalments across Terms 1-3. Substantial sibling discounts apply, with Diocesan tuition fees waived for the fourth and subsequent children. Revenue is augmented by a $945 Diocesan Building Levy, a $50 enrolment application fee, and a $300 enrolment deposit. Marketing and distribution rely on Open Days, school tours, the CSPD-wide enrollment portal, the Blue Mountains Gazette "Schools on Show" feature, and organic social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn). Geographic scope is firmly domestic, restricted to the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney catchment.

Name

St Columba's Catholic College

Legal name

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Ltd

Website

https://stcolumbasspringwood.catholic.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

St Columba's Catholic College is a Catholic secondary school (Years 7-12) in Springwood, NSW, serving approximately 1,080 students from the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney. It operates under Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, delivering NESA curriculum, Religious Education, VET, and extensive extracurricular programs on a historic sandstone campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Springwood

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Diocesan Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees set by Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), billed in instalments during Terms 1, 2 and 3. Significant sibling discounts apply, with Diocesan fees waived for the fourth and subsequent enrolled children. Fee levels vary by year level, ranging from approximately $2,532-$3,579 for the first child in Years 7-11.
2. School-Based Fees (Resource, Activity, Excursion Fees): School sets its own fees for resources, activities, and overnight excursions. Billed alongside Diocesan fees in Terms 1-3 instalments. Includes resource fees ($1,401-$1,890), activity fees ($60-$663), and occasional overnight excursion/meal charges.
3. Diocesan Building Levy: Annual levy set by CSPD, charged once per family per year ($945). Contributes to the CSPD-wide building and infrastructure fund.
4. Enrolment Application Fee and Deposit: One-off $50 enrolment application fee. Upon acceptance, a $300 enrolment deposit is paid, credited to the first fee instalment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

St Columba's Catholic College is a Catholic secondary college (Years 7-12) located on a historic sandstone campus in Springwood, NSW, delivering the NSW NESA curriculum integrated with daily Religious Education. It offers the HSC academic pathway, Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, the School of Now senior extension program, and a wide range of co-curricular programs including performing arts, sport, agriculture, and international exchange. The college currently enrols approximately 1,080 students drawn from the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney.

Product overview

St Columba's Catholic College is a Catholic secondary school (Years 7-12) offering a comprehensive educational program built on its NESA-approved curriculum integrated with Religious Education. The core academic program is supplemented by the VET courses for vocational pathways and the School of Now hybrid learning for senior students seeking extension opportunities. Beyond academics, the college provides a diverse portfolio including Performing Arts, School Sport, Agricultural Show Team, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, and Japanese Exchange Program. Student support services include the eLibrary digital resources, BYOD technology program, and comprehensive wellbeing services. The college operates its own farm facilities, performing arts centre, and is constructing a new Creative Hub for visual arts and technology studies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Secondary Education (Years 7-12) Comprehensive secondary education for students from Year 7 to Year 12 following the NSW Education Standards Authority curriculum across all key learning areas (English, Mathematics, Science, HSIE, electives), serving approximately 1,080 students from the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney.
• Religious Education Program Catholic faith-based curriculum based on the Encountering Jesus program, taught daily from Years 7-12, integrating Catholic values across all key learning areas and supporting the spiritual formation of students.
• Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Quantifiable outcome

• Strong HSC results with graduates consistently appearing on the Distinguished Achievers list.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hokusetsu Senior High School (Sanda, Japan)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt Columba's has a sister school relationship with Hokusetsu Senior High School in Sanda, Japan. Students from both schools can participate in a six-month cultural exchange program, allowing students to experience Japanese culture and education firsthand.
• University of TasmaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Tasmania engages with St Columba's students through career talks and information sessions. Representatives from UTAS (including the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture) visit the school to inform senior Agriculture and Primary Industries students about university study opportunities.
• Australian Catholic University (ACU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear 11 St Columba's students can complete the Step Up Into Teaching (SUIT) program through ACU, allowing them to undertake their first university subject during school holidays. This provides a head start on university study and a pathway into teaching.
• Project Compassion (Caritas Australia)minorOthersSt Columba's participates in Project Compassion, the annual Lenten fundraising and awareness program run by Caritas Australia. Students engage in fundraising and learn about social justice issues globally.
• St Vincent de Paul SocietyminorOthersSt Columba's students participate in Vinnies Van outreach, Winter Appeals, and Christmas hamper programs organised by the St Vincent de Paul Society, supporting those experiencing poverty and hardship in the local community.
• Jesuit Social ServicesminorOthersStudents participate in the Ignite Food Bank program run by Jesuit Social Services. The school also participates in the JRS Australia Refugee Week Creative Competition.
• Edmund Rice CentreminorOthersSt Columba's students have the opportunity to participate in outreach camps organised by the Edmund Rice Centre, providing community service experiences.
• CatholicCare Western Sydney and the Blue MountainsminorOthersCatholicCare Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains is a community partner for St Columba's social justice and outreach initiatives, supporting families and individuals in need.
• Western Sydney UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt Columba's students participate in the National Science and Engineering Challenge held at Western Sydney University's Kingswood Campus, competing alongside other schools from Western Sydney.
• Parramatta Diocesan Secondary Schools Sports Council (PDSSSC)coreOthersSt Columba's participates in the PDSSSC sporting competitions, providing representative pathways for students across a range of sports including touch football, netball, rugby league, soccer, cricket, basketball, and gymnastics.
• The Duke of Edinburgh's International AwardminorOthersSt Columba's students participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award scheme, completing physical challenges, volunteering activities, and adventurous journeys (including qualifying hiking experiences in New Zealand).
• Royal Agricultural Society of NSWminorOthersSt Columba's Agricultural Show Team participates in shows including the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Penrith Show, and Hawkesbury Show, winning individual and team awards at these agricultural competitions.
• Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD)coreOthersSt Columba's is one of 80 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Parramatta Diocese, operating under the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) system. CSPD sets Diocesan Tuition Fees and Building Levy, provides centralised enrollment platforms, professional development for staff, School of Now senior extension program, and VET pathway coordination.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sydney Catholic Schools: Broader Catholic school system in Sydney operating 147 schools across a wider geography. Serves as the second pillar of Sydney-region Catholic secondary education alongside CSPD and is directly comparable for fee structures, curriculum delivery, and co-curricular programming.

Direct peers

• Trinity Catholic College, Auburn: Catholic secondary college in Western Sydney delivering Years 7-12 education with a multicultural student profile similar to parts of St Columba's catchment. Comparable diocesan governance and program breadth.
• Aquinas Catholic College, Menai: Catholic secondary college in the Sutherland Shire under CSPD, delivering a Years 7-12 academic, religious education, sport, and performing arts program on a similar NESA-aligned model with shared diocesan fee policy.
• Good Shepherd Catholic College, Mount Pritchard: Catholic secondary college in South Western Sydney under the adjacent Sydney Catholic Schools system, offering a comparable Years 7-12 NESA, religious education, and co-curricular program to families in the broader Western Sydney region.
• Bede Polding College, South Windsor: Catholic secondary college in the Hawkesbury region under CSPD, delivering Years 7-12 NESA curriculum with parallel religious education, VET, and pastoral care programs. Comparable operational model and CSPD fee structure.
• Parramatta Marist High School: Heritage Catholic secondary school in Parramatta under CSPD, with strong HSC performance and a broad co-curricular program parallel to St Columba's. Directly comparable in mission, scale, and diocesan governance.
• Catherine McAuley, Westmead: Catholic secondary college in Western Sydney under CSPD, providing Years 7-12 curriculum, faith formation, and co-curricular activities consistent with the St Columba's model. Comparable in scale and diocesan operating framework.
• St Andrew's College, Marayong: Catholic secondary college in Marayong operating under the same CSPD diocese, serving Western Sydney families with a comparable Years 7-12 NESA-aligned curriculum and parallel fee structure. Most direct comparable given shared diocesan operating model and catchment overlap.
• Marian Catholic College, Kenthurst: Catholic secondary college in the Hills District also operating under CSPD, offering NESA curriculum, HSC pathway, VET and pastoral care parallel to St Columba's. Directly comparable in scale, governance, and CSPD-fee structure.
• Penrith Catholic College: Catholic secondary college in Penrith, geographically adjacent to the Blue Mountains catchment, offering a similar NESA-aligned Years 7-12 program with diocesan fee structure. Direct competitor for Western Sydney families.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@stcolumbascatholiccollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/1079941253928892
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/st-columba's-catholic-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/stcolumbasdoves

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St Columba's Catholic College