Church School

A Church School


		Knox Church

A Presbyterian foundation, Columba's links with the Presbyterian Church remain strong. Four of the College's annual Services are held in founding Churches of the city, First Church of Otago and Knox Church, and many of the boarders attend Maori Hill Presbyterian Church.

While many of the traditions of the College are based on that of the Presbyterian Church and reflect its predominantly Scottish heritage, Columba welcomes students of other denominations and faiths.

Students participate in special Services at school which include the Prefects' and Senior Girls' Service of Installation, the Easter Service, Anzac Day Observance, St. Columba's Day Service, the Spring Service and the Leavers' Service as well as worship at regular school assemblies.

Religious Studies is taught at all levels of the school with the Head of Religious Studies responsible for the Years 7 to 13 Religious Studies programmes. The teaching is non-sectarian and its main purposes are:

To enable students to encounter and appreciate the traditions of faith and practice which have shaped their school and the society of which it is a part

To encourage students to explore the implications of religious belief for life in contemporary society

To equip students with the information they require to make responsible decisions in religious and ethical matters

To develop students' sensitivity to people of other cultures and religious faiths

To encourage students to develop their own spirituality as an integral part of their life

Students participate voluntarily in a variety of Christian Outreaches and in community service. They are seen regularly in the community doing voluntary work and collecting for charities.

Christian Outreach is fostered through Sponsorship Money (a weekly voluntary donation which is given to charitable purposes of the girls' own choosing), the sponsorship of a World Vision child, a food hamper sent weekly to Presbyterian Support and special whole-school Outreaches at Easter and Christmas when students donate items to be distributed in the community.

Recent projects have included sending educational materials to East Timor and monetary donations to CanTeen, Dunedin Women's Refuge, Diabetes Otago, Cancer Society Otago and WSPA.

Chaplain

The College is fortunate to have The Rev. Fyfe Blair as its Chaplain. Mr Blair takes the Tuesday Chapel Services at school and leads many of the Special Services either at school or in the founding churches of the city. They also take the Tuesday Chapel Services at school, and through their work as Ministers of the Highgate Church they also represent the school in the local community.