St Edmund's College (known colloquially as Eddies) is an independent Catholic secondary day school for boys, located in Woodend, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. The school was founded by the Congregation of Christian Brothers in 1892 and is conducted in the tradition of Edmund Ignatius Rice.
The school is a member of the Associated Independent Colleges of the Greater Brisbane region along with Marist College Ashgrove, Iona College, Padua College, Villanova College, St Patrick's College, St Laurence's College and St. Peters Lutheran College.
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.
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 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' 2002 (SEC) – 'Back to the 80s' 2001 (SMC) – 'Jesus Christ Superstar' 2000 (SEC) – 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' 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' 1993 SMC) – 'Half a Sixpence' 1992 (SEC) – 'The Pirates of Penzance' 1991 (SMC) – '¡Viva México! (El grito de Dolores)' 1990 (SEC) – 'Pippin' 1989 (SMC) – 'Oklahoma'
Houses In 1981, Eddies added school houses. These houses, Hogan, Ryles, Carroll and Stevens, were named after previous principals of the school. Name Colour Name origin Stevens Red J.C. Stevens, college principal from 1940–1941 HoganGoldW.J. Hogan, college principal from 1899–1901 and 1905–1907RyallGreenG.E. Ryall, college principal from 1952–1954CarrollBlue 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. 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. 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 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. Ignatius Purple To go where no one else will go 'Ignatius' was the name Edmund Rice took to mark his new life as a Christian Brother. Morgan Blue In giving we receive 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. Rice Gold Nothing is alien to us Named after the founder of the Christian Brothers, Edmund Ignatius Rice.Treacy Red 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.
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 Birminghamauthor 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 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 Paul Pisasale – former mayor of Ipswich
Sport Denis Flanneryrugby league player Harley Fox – rugby union player Peter Gallagherrugby league player Doug McLean Jr. – rugby union and rugby league player Sam Johnsonrugby 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
See also
List of schools in Queensland Catholic education in Australia
References
External links St Edmund's College website