The School expects any pupil selected to represent the School to do so.  With approximately 30 boys and 30 girls in each year group, and when normal illnesses and sports injuries are taken into account, it would take very few pupils being unavailable for other reasons before we were unable to turn out a team.  Inevitably there will be special occasions which necessitate a pupils absence but these should be the exception rather than the rule.  In such cases pupils should bring a note to the teacher in charge of the team.  Participation in team sports is of enormous benefit to both individual pupils and to the wider school.  The Rector asks for the support of parents to ensure that sport continues to thrive at St. Columba’s.

The following guidelines are based on those issued by HMC.

The School warmly welcomes the support of parents at sports fixtures.  Indeed, it is one of the hallmarks of St. Columba’s that the School always has a large and enthusiastic group of supporters.  However, in the enthusiasm of the moment, support can sometimes interfere with the coaching and refereeing of the game and set an inappropriate example to pupils.

Therefore, the School respectfully asks parents:

• To avoid interfering, however well intentioned, in coaching instructions or refereeing decisions, or to focus prolonged or undue attention on individual players.

• Please do not criticise the referee, St. Columba’s School staff or opponents coaches and teachers.  Constructive comments are welcomed by the games staff at an appropriate time after the fixture.

• Please do encourage your son/daughter to attend, at least for a short time, the social "teas" after fixtures, both home and away.

• Please support the Schools rule that players arrive at and depart from home fixtures dressed as required by the School.

• If pupils are collected after an away venue, please notify the teacher in charge in order that an accurate register can be taken before the team coach departs.