Our History

St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, was founded by the Christian Brothers on the humble premise of educating “anyone who would come”. Over 140 years later, the sacrifice and commitment of those early Christian Brothers and the contributions made over many generations by the Terrace Family, has gifted the College with a unique atmosphere of care, a rich history and strong traditions.

The First 25 Years - 1875-1900

On July 5, 1875 three Christian Brothers opened their first school in Queensland, in the Pugin Chapel, the old St Stephen's Cathedral, with 26 boys enrolled. Within two months, on September 19, the foundation stone for a permanent residence and school had been laid at Spring Hill.

The Brothers took up residence in the new building on Gregory Terrace in early 1876. School facilities were provided in a large room and for several years, two schools functioned at Gregory Terrace and St Stephen's. In 1879, College Hall, then a single-storey stone building, was completed and the school at St Stephen's was closed. The west wing of the residence was completed in 1887 to provide accommodation for boarders. By 1891 there was insufficient room for the numbers to board and the boarding school was transferred to St Joseph's College, Nudgee.

The Second 25 Years - 1900-1925

These were years of change and expansion for the College. In 1911 the Cadets program started at Terrace and shortly after in 1915, over 300 Terracians joined the fight with their fellow Australians in Gallipoli, the Western Front and other parts of the world.

The Science Hall was built and opened in 1918-19 (a third storey was added 20 years later and a three-storey teaching block which linked this building with the residence was built in 1954).

In 1923 the school colours were changed to cardinal red and black. Previously the colours had been blue and white, the same colours as the Christian Brothers and of Nudgee College. The colour was changed to avoid confusion between the two Christian Brothers’ schools.

The Third 25 Years - 1925-1950

In 1927 Henry Windsor loaned the school funds to build a swimming pool between the Brothers’ House (now the Treacy Centre) and Billet St. This was well-loved and well used by both students and Brothers alike.

In 1928 JC Mahoney became the first of 17 Terrace Rhodes Scholars. Years later his son James also became a Rhodes scholar. This father and son Rhodes Scholarship was unique to Queensland.

At Speech Night in 1929 Terrace to the Fore was performed for the first time. It was composed for occasions as a rallying song, as it is still today, by Headmaster and lyricist Br James Kearney.

The school uniform, including the red and black tie, was introduced in 1935. In 1938 a second floor and extra rooms were added to the Science building and in 1939 the first two of the Terrace tennis courts were built at Victoria Park.

The Cadet Corps was re-introduced in 1939 as a new generation of Terracians were called to war.

The Fourth 25 Years - 1950-75

A new College Crest and College Motto were introduced in 1950. The design of the crest was the work of Headmaster Br Levander and the motto was selected by Br Campbell.

The New Farm Boatshed was built in 1959 on land donated by Old Boy and Archbishop James Duhig. In 1962 the land at Tennyson was purchased and painstakingly developed by parents and the Brothers. The first games at Tennyson were played on 6 June 1964.

Terrace celebrated its centenary in 1975 with many celebrations, including a Dinner Dance, Cadet Parade, Family Day at Tennyson, the opening of the new Centenary Building and Foundation Day Mass on 5 July.

The Fifth 25 years - 1975-2000

This era signified unprecedented growth at Terrace. The Outdoor Education Centre at Lake Maroon was used for the first time, the Manual Arts block was built, the tunnel under Gregory Terrace was completed as was the Br FE Rodgers pavilion at Tennyson.

In 1986 Billet St was purchased. The College now owned the entire block bordered by Gregory Terrace, Victoria, Rogers and Water streets. The Gregory Terrace Foundation was established in 1986 to help fund Capital development.

Further significant development continued around the College including the Campbell Centre, Duhig Place, Celtic Cross, Mt Sion, the restoration of College Hall, new facilities for Science, Music, Performing Arts, Library and Learning Support, the Br Barry Buckley Outdoor Education Centre and the Chapel of the Holy Family.

The College’s Mission Statement was presented and accepted in 1988. In 1993 Dr Brendan McManus became the College’s first lay Principal.

The Sixth 25 Years - 2000 & Beyond

This era has been marked by development, renovation and rebuilding. In 2007 the Christian Brothers formed Edmund Rice Education Australia under which auspices the College now sits.

In 2007, students commenced at Waterford Place, which is a unique, forward-thinking, self-contained learning environment and development ground for Year 10 students.

The devastating Queensland floods of 2011 forced a compete rehabilitation and rebuild at Tennyson. The rebuild allowed for the extension of the boathouse and the building of the Old Boys’ Grandstand.

The year also saw the state-of-the-art Br Tony White building constructed and the renovation of the old Brothers’ residence – the Treacy Centre completed. The weather once again intervened in late 2014 and further rehabilitation took place, including in College Hall.

The College celebrated its 140th year in 2015 with a new Principal for the College, Dr Michael Carroll. Strategic development was at the core of 2016 with the development of both the Strategic Plan (GT2020 - Join the Journey) and College Master Plan. In 2017 the story of Terrace continues...