St col

senior school

Pastoral Care & House System

At St Columba’s we place great emphasis on the care and well-being of all of our pupils. They are all known as individuals; their personal qualities are appreciated, their individual needs are recognised and their progress and attainment monitored throughout their years at School.

In Senior School pastoral care begins with Form Teachers, who establish strong relationships with the pupils.

Pupils are assigned to one of four Houses - Craigmarloch, Duchal, Kilallan and Strathgryffe - and remain in that House throughout their time at school where a supportive relationship is fostered with the Head of House. Members of the same family will normally belong to the same House. The House system promotes team spirit amongst pupils and also creates a competitive environment through a range of Inter-House activities.

In Senior VI a sense of responsibility for others is fostered through a regent system. New pupils are assured of a smooth induction to Senior School by having a senior pupil care for them and act as a role model and mentor.

Heads of House

The Head of House is the first and main point of contact for parents in their dealings with the School.

Craigmarloch 

Mrs Scott

jscott@st-columbas.org

Duchal

Mrs Reilly

vreilly@st-columbas.org

Kilallan  

Mr Robertson

grobertson@st-columbas.org

Strathgryffe  

Mrs Smith 

nsmith@st-columbas.org

Each Head of House has overall responsibility for -

  • the pastoral care and well being of all pupils in their House
  • curricular support and subject choice
  • careers education and guidance
  • UCAS applications (except Oxbridge)
  • Personal and Social Education
  • parent contact


With the Head of House acting as a single point of contact parents can be confident of quality home-school communications. Each year Heads of House hold individual interviews with pupils at key transitional stages during their time at Senior School. Parents are welcome to attend.

  • SI: individual interviews with parents in October to discuss initial progress
  • SII: advise and administer subject choices in term II
  • SIII: individual interviews with parents in November to discuss progress
  • SIV: advise on subject options during term II and again in August following publication of the SQA results
  • SV: advise on subject options during term II and again in August following publication of the SQA results
  • SVI: provide continuing advice with careers and higher education, attend Prefects’ motivational weekends


Senior pupils in each House elect a boy and girl House Captain from SVI. House Captains assist the Head of House in organising events for Inter-House competitions and in leading House Assembly. House captains have an important job in encouraging pupils to participate in the wider life of the School and in looking after the younger members of their particular House.