St Edmund's College (known colloquially as Eddies) is an

independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in Pennsylvania, United States * Independentes (English: Independents), a Portuguese artist ...

Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

secondary

day school A day school — as opposed to a boarding school — is an educational institution where children are given instruction during the day, after which the students return to their homes. A day school has full-day programs when compared to a regular s ...

for boys, located in

Ipswich, Queensland Ipswich () is an urban centre within the City of Ipswich in South East Queensland, Australia. Situated on the Bremer River (Queensland), Bremer River, it is approximately 40 km (25 mi) west of the Brisbane central business district. Ipswich is ...

, Australia. The school was founded by the

Congregation of Christian Brothers The Congregation of Christian Brothers (; abbreviated CFC) is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Edmund Ignatius Rice, Edmund Rice. Their first school opened in Waterford, Ireland in 1802. At the time of its ...

in 1892 and is conducted in the tradition of

Edmund Ignatius Rice Edmund Ignatius Rice, Presentation Brothers, F.P.M., Congregation of Christian Brothers, C.F.C. (; 1 June 1762 – 29 August 1844) was a Catholic missionary and educationalist who founded two religious institute, institutes of Religious brothe ...

. The school is a member of the Associated Independent Colleges of the

Greater Brisbane South East Queensland (SEQ) is a bio-geographical, metropolitan and statistical region of the state of Queensland in Australia, with a population of approximately 4.0 million people out of the state's population of 5.5 million. The area cover ...

region along with

Marist College Ashgrove Marist College Ashgrove (abbreviated as MCA) is an Independent school, independent Roman Catholicism in Australia, Roman Catholic Day school, day and Boarding school, boarding primary school, primary and secondary school, secondary school for Sin ...

, Iona College, Padua College, Villanova College, St Patrick's College,

St Laurence's College St Laurence's College (known colloquially as Lauries) is an independent Catholic primary and secondary school for boys, located in South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Founded by the Congregation of Christian Brothers in 1915. the school is a m ...

and St. Peters Lutheran College. St Edmund's College accepts students from Years 7 to 12, drawing from a wide area of

Ipswich Ipswich () is a port town and Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough in Suffolk, England. It is the county town, and largest in Suffolk, followed by Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds, and the third-largest population centre in East Anglia, ...

. At the beginning of 2025 the college will reintroduce years 5 and 6.

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 Church may refer to: Religion * Church (building), a place/building for Christian religious activities and praying * Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination * Church service, a formalized period of Christian comm ...

. In fact, to this day the heritage listed gate at that stone wall still features the original St Edmunds initials CBC (Christian Brothers College). 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 to the Gold Coast on his last day of school. His primary mission was to raise funds for

charity Charity may refer to: Common meanings * Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons * Charity (practice), the practice of being benevolent, giving and sha ...

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 ''Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'' is a sung-through musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, based on the character of Joseph from the Bible's Book of Genesis. This was the first Lloyd Webber and Rice ...

' * 2024 (SMC) - ' Mary Poppins the Broadway Musical' * 2023 (SEC) – '

The Addams Family The Addams Family is a fictional family created by American cartoonist Charles Addams. They originally appeared in a series of 150 standalone single-panel comics, about half of which were originally published in ''The New Yorker'' between 193 ...

' * 2022 (SMC) – ‘

High School Musical on Stage! ''High School Musical on Stage!'' is a musical based on the 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie ''High School Musical'', with music and lyrics by Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, Ray and Greg Cham, Drew Seeley, Randy Petersen, Kevin Quinn, Andy Do ...

’ * 2021 (SEC) – '

School of Rock ''School of Rock'' (titled on screen as ''The School of Rock'') is a 2003 comedy film directed by Richard Linklater, produced by Scott Rudin and written by Mike White (filmmaker), Mike White. The film stars Jack Black, Joan Cusack, White and Sa ...

' * 2019 (SMC) – '

Matilda the musical ''Roald Dahl's Matilda'', also known simply as ''Matilda'' and ''Matilda the Musical'', is a musical with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly. It is based on the 1988 novel '' Matilda'' by Roald Dahl. The musical's narr ...

' * 2018 (SEC) – 'Rock of Ages 101: High School Edition' * 2017 (SMC) – '

Hairspray Hairspray may refer to: * Hair spray, a personal grooming product that keeps hair protected from humidity and wind * Hairspray (1988 film), ''Hairspray'' (1988 film), a film by John Waters ** Hairspray (1988 soundtrack), ''Hairspray'' (1988 soundt ...

' * 2016 (SEC) – '

The Wiz ''The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical "Wonderful Wizard of Oz"'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls (and others) and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum's children's novel '' The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' ...

' * 2015 (SMC) – ' Legally Blonde: The Musical' * 2014 (SEC) – '

West Side Story ''West Side Story'' is a Musical theatre, musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a Book (musical theatre), book by Arthur Laurents. Inspired by William Shakespeare's play ''Romeo an ...

' * 2013 (SMC) – ' The Bells of St Mary's' * 2012 (SEC) – ' 13' * 2011 (SMC) – ' Fame' * 2010 (SEC) – '

Footloose ''Footloose'' is a 1984 American musical drama film directed by Herbert Ross and written by Dean Pitchford. It tells the story of Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon), a teenager from Chicago who moves to a small town, where he attempts to overturn a b ...

' * 2009 (SMC) – '

High School Musical ''High School Musical'' is a 2006 American Musical film, musical television film produced by and aired on Disney Channel as part of the network's List of Disney Channel original films, slate of original television films. The first installmen ...

' * 2008 (SEC) – ' Grease' * 2007 (SMC) – '

Thoroughly Modern Millie ''Thoroughly Modern Millie'' is a 1967 American musical romantic comedy film directed by George Roy Hill and starring Julie Andrews. The screenplay by Richard Morris, based on the 1956 British musical ''Chrysanthemum'', follows a naïve young ...

' * 2006 (SEC) – '

Beach Blanket Tempest ''Beach Blanket Tempest'' is an Australian musical with book and lyrics by Dennis Watkins and music by Chris Harriott, loosely based on Shakespeare's ''The Tempest''. Set on the fictional island of Avalon, which according to this play is locate ...

' * 2005 (SMC) – '

Little Shop of Horrors Little Shop of Horrors may refer to: * '' The Little Shop of Horrors'', a 1960 American film * ''Little Shop of Horrors'' (musical), a 1982 musical based on the 1960 film * ''Little Shop of Horrors'' (1986 film), a 1986 American film based on th ...

' * 2004 (SEC) – 'The Outsiders' * 2003 (SMC) – 'Now and Then' * 2002 (SEC) – ' Back to the 80s' * 2001 (SMC) – '

Jesus Christ Superstar ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' is a sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Loosely based on the Life of Jesus in the New Testament, Gospels' accounts of Passion of Jesus, the Passion, the work interprets ...

' * 2000 (SEC) – '

' * 1999 (SMC) – 'Open Season' * 1998 (SEC) – ' SherWoodstock' * 1997 (SMC) – 'Worlds Apart' * 1996 (SEC) – ' Evita' * 1995 (SMC) – 'Macbeth – The Rock Opera' * 1994 (SEC) – '

Bye Bye Birdie ''Bye Bye Birdie'' is a stage musical with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams, based upon a book by Michael Stewart. Originally titled ''Let's Go Steady'', ''Bye Bye Birdie'' is set in 1958. The play's book was influenced by El ...

' * 1993 SMC) – ' Half a Sixpence' * 1992 (SEC) – '

The Pirates of Penzance ''The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty'' is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert, W. S. Gilbert. Its official premiere was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on 3 ...

' * 1991 (SMC) – ' ¡Viva México! (El grito de Dolores)' * 1990 (SEC) – ' Pippin' * 1989 (SMC) – '

Oklahoma Oklahoma ( ; Choctaw language, Choctaw: , ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Texas to the south and west, Kansas to the north, Missouri to the northea ...

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 * Brendan Lawler: 2005–2013 * Christopher Leadbetter: 2014–2017 * Diarmuid O'Riordan: 2018–2019 * Ray Celegato: 2020–present

Notable alumni

; ;Entertainment, media and the arts *

John Birmingham John Birmingham (born 7 August 1964) is a British-born Australian author, known for the 1994 memoir ''He Died with a Felafel in His Hand'', the ''Axis of Time'' trilogy, and the well-received space opera series, the ''Cruel Stars'' trilogy. ...

author * d'Arcy Doyle – artist *

Nathan Kneen Nathan or Natan may refer to: People and biblical figures *Nathan (given name), including a list of people and characters with this name *Nathan (surname) *Nathan (prophet), a person in the Hebrew Bible *Nathan (son of David), a biblical figur ...

– singer and former member of ''

The Ten Tenors The TEN Tenors (also known as TTT) are an Australian music ensemble, first formed in 1995. Current members *Cameron Barclay *Sam Ward *Michael Edwards *Adrian Li Donni *Ammon Bennett *Jared Newall *Boyd Owen *Joe Naim *Daniel Belle *JD Smith Ba ...

'' * Rhys Lee – artist ;Politics and the law *

Josiah Francis Sir Josiah Francis (28 March 1890 – 22 February 1964) was an Australian politician who served in the House of Representatives from 1922 to 1955. He was a minister in the Lyons and Menzies governments, serving as Minister in charge of War Ser ...

– politician * Matthew Hickey barrister and founding member and producer of ''

'' * Jim Maddensolicitor 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 The Legislative Assembly of Queensland is the sole chamber of the unicameral Parliament of Queensland established under the Constitution of Queensland. Elections are held every four years and are done by full preferential voting. The Assembly ...

* Paul Pisasale – former mayor of Ipswich ;Sport * Denis Flanneryrugby league player * Harley Fox – rugby union player *

Peter Gallagher Peter Killian Gallagher (born August 19, 1955) is an American actor. Since 1980, he has played roles in numerous Hollywood films. He is best known for starring as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series '' The O.C.'' from 2003 to 2007, and ...

rugby league player * Doug McLean Jr. – rugby union and rugby league player *

Sam Johnson Samuel Robert Johnson (October 11, 1930 – May 27, 2020) was an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for in Congress from 1991 to 2019. He was a member of the Republican Party. In October and November 2015, he was the act ...

rugby union player * Noel Kellyrugby league player * Paul McLean rugby union player and official * Peter McMahon swimmer and businessman * Joe Ofahengaue – rugby league player * Heath RamsayOlympic swimmer * Grant Sorensen – Olympic volleyball player * James Stannardrugby union player

References

External links

St Edmund's College website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Edmunds College Ipswich Congregation of Christian Brothers secondary schools in Australia Catholic secondary schools in Queensland Boys' schools in Queensland Educational institutions established in 1892 Schools in Ipswich, Queensland 1892 establishments in Australia