As a new school opens and begins its development - colours, badges and mottoes help to give a sense of belonging.  The whole student body was involved in 1959 in establishing these symbols for their school.  Bottle green and gold, Australia's national colours, were chosen for the school colours and the uniform in February 1957.  The four houses were named after local historical figures and the standard colours of red, yellow, blue and green were chosen.

Darvall House, named after Major Bailey Darvall, an early landowner who built his home in 1836 where St Columb's Church now stands, was suggested by Rhonda Thomas and given the colour red.  Harris (yellow) was named after William Harris, by Stewart Couper.  Harris' property, Edensor, is now occupied by the Church of England.  Midson (blue) was named by Robert Hadfield after Mr William Midson, who is thought to have named Epping.  Terry was named by Gordon Bubb after Mr Edward Terry, who was the first Mayor of Ryde and whose home, Eastwood, is now occupied by Marist Brothers High School.

(At one stage in 1961, both Harris and Terry had their colours changed:  Harris became tangerine and Terry became mauve.)

The school motto, Strive to Achieve, was also chosen at this time and the school flag was sewn by the girls' needlework teacher.  The girls themselves provided the flagpole before leaving for Cheltenham.

In 1960, Land of Hope and Glory was adopted as the school song.