St Edmund's College, Ipswich

History

In 1891, the first foundation stone for the Brothers' residence was laid, and in February 1892 after a grand opening by the Archbishop Robert Dunne the Christian Brothers moved in.

The original St Edmunds Christian Brothers building was used until 1961, and is now used by St Mary's Primary School, still located on the corner of Mary & Elizabeth St, Woodend, besides the church. The former school buildings and walls are included among the significant components of the heritage-listed St Marys Roman Catholic Church Precinct.

On the 21st of February, 1965, the foundation stone for the new building was blessed by Reverend Sir James Duhig and laid by the then current mayor of Ipswich, Alderman J. T. Finimore. This was the time the name was of the College was changed from Christian Brothers' College to St Edmund's Christian Brothers' College.

In 1998, Br Ted Magee was the last Christian Brother principal to serve the college.

In 2006, Br Ambrose Purcell was the last Christian Brother to serve as a member of staff, moving back to Sudan to continue his mission work.

Skool 2 Skoolies

The Skool 2 Skoolies initiative began in 2003, when one Year 12 St Edmund's student pledged to cycle 115 km (71 mi) to the Gold Coast on his last day of school. His primary mission was to raise funds for charity.

Sport

St. Edmund's is a member of the Associated Independent Colleges (AIC).

Season 1 February – March: Swimming, Cricket, Volleyball, AFL

Season 2 April – June: Chess, Cross Country, Rugby Union, Soccer

Season 3 July – October: Hockey, Cross Country, Track and Field, Basketball, Tennis, Rugby League

Season 4 October – November: Track and Field, Golf

AIC sports include: Australian rules, basketball, chess, cricket, cross country, rugby union (St Edmund's College Ipswich was selected to represent Australia at the prestigious Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament in Fukuoka, Japan during 2003), soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, hockey, and rugby league. Non-AIC sports include: e-sports, golf and hockey.

AIC premierships

St Edmund's College has won the following AIC premierships.

Athletics (3) – 2012, 2013, 2014

Basketball (5) – 2001, 2002, 2006, 2017, 2020

Chess (2) - 2011, 2020

Rugby (2) – 2011, 2014

Soccer – 2016

Tennis – 2005

Volleyball (5) – 1999, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011

Musical and drama productions

Each year, since 2007, a full musical production is conducted, in conjunction with St. Mary's College, Ipswich. The host school alternates every year.

Musicals

2025 (SEC) – 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'

2024 (SMC) - 'Mary Poppins the Broadway Musical'

2023 (SEC) – 'The Addams Family'

2022 (SMC) – ‘High School Musical on Stage!’

2021 (SEC) – 'School of Rock'

2019 (SMC) – 'Matilda the musical'

2018 (SEC) – 'Rock of Ages 101: High School Edition'

2017 (SMC) – 'Hairspray'

2016 (SEC) – 'The Wiz'

2015 (SMC) – 'Legally Blonde: The Musical'

2014 (SEC) – 'West Side Story'

2013 (SMC) – 'The Bells of St Mary's'

2012 (SEC) – '13'

2011 (SMC) – 'Fame'

2010 (SEC) – 'Footloose'

2009 (SMC) – 'High School Musical'

2008 (SEC) – 'Grease'

2007 (SMC) – 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'

2006 (SEC) – 'Beach Blanket Tempest'

2005 (SMC) – 'Little Shop of Horrors'

2004 (SEC) – 'The Outsiders'

2003 (SMC) – 'Now and Then'

Houses

In 1981, Eddies added school houses. These houses, Hogan, Ryles, Carroll and Stevens, were named after previous principals of the school.

In 1995, the four houses at St Edmund’s changed their names, which coincided with the college moving from year levels to a Pastoral System.

Hogan became Rice (yellow)

Ryall became Callan (green)

Carroll became Morgan (blue)

Stevens became Treacy (red)

In 2003, due to an increase in student numbers, these house were split in half, creating eight houses: Callan 1, Callan 2, Rice 1, Rice 2, Morgan 1, Morgan 2, Treacy 1 and Treacy 2.

At the end of 2006, further change came when these eight houses were folded into six for the following year, with the addition of two new houses, Finn and Ambrose.

In 2013, two more houses were created in preparation of Year 7 returning to St Edmund’s College in 2015. These two house were named Ignatius and Elliott.

Principals

Joseph Morgan: 1892–1894

J.D. O'Donaghe: 1895–1898

W.J. Hogan: 1899–1901, 1905–1907

R.X. Butler: 1902–1904

J.F. O'Brien: 1908–1914, 1931–1936, 1939

F. Donovan: 1915–1918

Thomas C. Seery: 1919

B. O'Ryan: 1920–1924

M.C. Carroll: 1925–1930

S.L. Carroll: 1937–1938

J.C. Stevens: 1940–1941

H.A. Segrave: 1942

R.G. McCartney: 1943–1945

F.C. Walsh: 1946–1948

N.G. Wigmore: 1949–1951

G.E. Ryall: 1952–1954

W.A. Lewis: 1955–1960

Brian Malachy Shortill: 1961–1966

K.F. Lynch: 1967–1971

A.I. Schofield: 1972–1977

L.E. "Ted" Magee: 1978–1983, 1994–1998

R.M. Reardon: 1984–1989

R.O. “Steve” Grundy: 1990–1992

Jim Lucey: 1999–2004

Notable alumni

Entertainment, media and the arts

John Birmingham – author

d'Arcy Doyle – artist

Nathan Kneen – singer and former member of The Ten Tenors

Rhys Lee – artist

Politics and the law

Josiah Francis – politician

Matthew Hickey – barrister and founding member and producer of The Ten Tenors

Jim Madden – solicitor and former Member for Ipswich West

John Nugent – former Chairman of the Moreton Shire Council and former mayor of Ipswich

Henry Palaszczuk – former Labor member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Paul Pisasale – former mayor of Ipswich

Sport

Denis Flannery – rugby league player

Harley Fox – rugby union player

Peter Gallagher – rugby league player

Doug McLean Jr. – rugby union and rugby league player

Sam Johnson – rugby union player

Noel Kelly – rugby league player

Paul McLean – rugby union player and official