History
In February 1892, the Christian Brothers arrived in Ipswich and took up residence.
From that time until 1961, they taught solely in the original building, St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ College, located at the corner of Elizabeth and Mary Streets.
Christian Brothers College in 1892
Christian Brothers Residence
Christian Brothers College in 1924
By the early 1960s, it became evident that demand for higher secondary education was increasing. For the second time in the history of the Christian Brothers in Ipswich, a meeting of parents was convened to determine a course of action. It was resolved that, to address the issue of severely overburdened accommodation, a new secondary school would be built. Unlike its predecessor, this school would be owned by the Christian Brothers rather than St Mary’s Parish and would serve as a central boys’ college for all parishes in the district.
With the support of the Parish Priest of St Mary’s, construction of the new College commenced. On 21 February 1965, the first of the buildings, financially supported by the newly formed Parents and Friends’ Association, was blessed by the Most Reverend Sir James Duhig, Archbishop of Brisbane, and the Foundation Stone was laid by the Mayor of Ipswich, Alderman J. T. Finimore. At this time, the College was renamed St Edmund’s Christian Brothers’ College.
College Campus 1970
New Classrooms 1977
Tennis Courts 1970
Since then, the unwavering support of the parent community has enabled the College to expand its facilities significantly.
By the turn of the millennium, the Christian Brothers, in line with their mission to serve marginalised communities, began withdrawing from the administration and staffing of schools. In 1998, Br Ted Magee became the last Christian Brother to serve as Principal of St Edmund’s College. In 2006, the final Christian Brother on staff, Br Ambrose Purcell, departed to undertake missionary work in Sudan. The Trustees of the Christian Brothers Oceania continue to oversee the College, which has been governed by Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) since 1 October 2007.
Since 2007, St Edmund’s College has undergone several significant developments to enhance its educational facilities and community engagement.
Between 2014 and 2019, the College embarked on a five-year campus redevelopment programme. Four new multi-storey buildings were constructed and connected by covered bridge links, improving campus circulation and accessibility.
In 2021, as part of the College’s master plan, a new Open Learning Centre, named The Chandlery, was constructed to replace the existing library facilities. This two-storey building offers collaborative and private study spaces, along with flexible learning environments designed to cater to a diverse range of educational needs. The Chandlery serves as a hub for innovation, communication, and community engagement, fostering a strong sense of belonging among students.
A further milestone in the College’s history was reached in 2025 with the reintroduction of the Junior School after a 37-year hiatus. St Edmund’s College once again welcomed Years 5 and 6 students, accompanied by the construction of new classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities. This expansion has provided a dynamic and engaging learning environment for younger students, marking a new chapter in the College’s proud legacy.
Science Labs 2013
Lynch and Horan Building Renovations 2015
Horan and Calopedis Buildings 2018
Edmund Rice Building Renovations 2018
The Chandlery 2022
Edmund Rice Building
In the spirit of reconciliation, St Edmund’s College acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.