St Edmund's College accepts students from Years 7 to 12, drawing from a wide area of Ipswich. At the beginning of 2025 the college will reintroduce years 5 and 6.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6][7] In fact, to this day the heritage listed gate at that stone wall still features the original St Edmunds initials CBC (Christian Brothers College).[citation needed]
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.[8][9]
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.[10]
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.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]
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),[20] soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, hockey, and rugby league. Non-AIC sports include: e-sports, golf and hockey.[citation needed]
AIC premierships
St Edmund's College has won the following AIC premierships.[21]
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.
In 1981, Eddies added school houses. These houses, Hogan, Ryles, Carroll and Stevens, were named after previous principals of the school.[citation needed]
Name
Colour
Name origin
Stevens
Red
J.C. Stevens, college principal from 1940–1941
Hogan
Gold
W.J. Hogan, college principal from 1899–1901 and 1905–1907
Ryall
Green
G.E. Ryall, college principal from 1952–1954
Carroll
Blue
M.C. Carroll, college principal from 1925–1930
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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
Name
Colour
Crest
Motto
Name origin
Ambrose
Maroon
Courage to believe, strength to succeed
Br Desmond Ambrose Purcell (known as 'Br Ambrose') was a Christian Brother who served the community of Ipswich and was the last Christian Brother to teach at St Edmund's.
Callan
Green
Participation, determination, success
Callan, Ireland was the home town of Edmund Rice.
Elliott
Teal
Scottish Gaelic: In ár caisleáin togetherness a tógadh – In our togetherness castles are built
Elliott house is named after Mary Elliott the wife of Edmund Rice. She died suddenly a few years after they were married.
Finn
Orange
Fair & Just
Named after Patrick Finn, who was not only one of the founding members of the Christian Brothers but also one of Edmund Rice's closest companions.
Morgan house derives its name from the first Christian Brother Principal – Brother J Morgan who came to Ipswich in February 1892 and took up residence to establish the school.
Latin: Prorria audax virtute – Bravery in the cause of virtue
Brother Patrick Ambrose Treacy (20 October 1834 – 15 August 1913) was the first Christian Brothers' provincial superior of Australia, who established the first permanent Christian Brothers community in Australia in 1868. The Treacy crest and motto was created by the first dean of the house, Mr Paul Begg.
This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. Please improve this article by removing names that do not have independent reliable sources showing they merit inclusion in this article AND are alumni, or by incorporating the relevant publications into the body of the article through appropriate citations.(July 2024)
