Modern Day Columba
The school uniform is formal and compulsory for all pupils, currently consisting of; a green blazer, white shirt, navy blue jersey, with Black Watch tartan necktie and kilt. Columba has four school houses, Braemar (Green), Girton (Red), Iona (Blue) and Solway (Yellow) named for the founding schools and Saint Columba.
Based on NCEA results, Columba College is one of the highest achieving schools in New Zealand. Its motto is "Gratia et Disciplina Bona" meaning Grace and Good Discipline. It is one of the few schools in Dunedin to teach Mandarin, and has recently built an award-winning gymnasium on the school grounds. Three mornings during the week, the school congregates in Constance Hall (that has been recently renovated) for Assembly. It is during this time that congratulations and awards are handed out, as well as general notices. Tuesday assemblies are chapel services, conducted by Reverend Barry Kelk. Assemblies are commonly used to recognise student achievements.
Year 13 is the last year students reach before heading on to tertiary education. Students in this year level are of ages 16–18, and are given access to a private residence owned by Columba College on the premises. At the end of the school year, they often choose to buy a ring of the school emblem, symbolising the part of their life spent at Columba. Students may also leave school at the end of Year 12, but most opt to remain for Year 13.
Columba College is the "sister school" of local boys school John McGlashan College.
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